Monaco, Spanish and Dutch F1 Grands Prix POSTPONED and season in chaos with NO start date amid coronavirus pandemic
THE Monaco, Spanish and Dutch Formula One Grands Prix have been postponed, with the season in utter chaos due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Having already axed races in Australia, China, Bahrain and Vietnam, the FIA have confirmed that the season will definitely not commence until the end of May at the very earliest.
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An official statement read: "In view of the continued global spread of COVID-19 and after ongoing discussions with Formula 1 and the three promoters, it has today been confirmed that the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix 2020, Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2020 and Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix 2020 will be postponed.
"Due to the ongoing and fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation globally, the FIA, Formula 1 and the three promoters have taken these decisions in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern.
The FIA and Formula 1 expect to begin the 2020 Championship season as soon as it is safe to do so after May and will continue to regularly monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
The FIA
"The FIA and Formula 1 continue to work closely with affected promoters and local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve.
"The FIA and Formula 1 expect to begin the 2020 Championship season as soon as it is safe to do so after May and will continue to regularly monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation."
The 2020 season had been set to get underway in Australia last weekend, before F1 bosses eventually caved to mounting pressure to postpone the race after a McLaren team member was struck by the disease.
A decision had already long been made to axe the Chinese Grand Prix, which had been due to take place in Shanghai in April.
Bahrain and the inaugural race in Hanoi, Vietnam soon followed, as F1 joined other sports in disarray because of the global coronavirus outbreak.
The Dutch, Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix were all supposed to take place in May - prior to the inevitable call to postpone them being made today.
This means that the next race in question that currently has NOT yet been axed is scheduled for June 7.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is due to take place in Baku, but will also be under immense threat of being axed due to the disease.
After Azerbaijan on June 7, races are also supposed to take place in Canada and France that month.
Following last weekend's decision to postpone the Australian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton stated his belief that it was the only call that could have been made.
The Brit said: "Sadly, this is the right decision. No one wants this, we all want to get in our cars and get racing.
"But we have to be realistic and must put health and safety first.
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“The reality is, this is serious with people dying every day, lots of people ill and even if they are not ill, many people are being affected financially and emotionally.
“We should all take precautions to keep as many people safe as possible. I know it’s disappointing, as sport unites us when times are tough but it’s the right call.
“Hope to be back racing soon, but in the meantime, take care of yourselves.”