Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey: 'We are targeting season start in Austria in July'

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey has laid out his vision for the 2020 season; 'between 15-18 races' remaining the target.

Despite the cancellation of the French Grand Prix on Monday morning, Carey is still targeting a truly global competition in 2020.

"Although this morning it was announced that the French Grand Prix, due to take place in late June, will not be going ahead, we are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer," wrote Carey in a press release.

"We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September, with the first race taking place in Austria on 3-5 July weekend. September, October and November, would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the Gulf in December with Bahrain before the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, having completed between 15-18 races. We will publish our finalised calendar as soon as we possibly can."

A potential start date for the season

Formula 1 is targeting a 15-18 race season, beginning in Austria on the weekend of July 3-5 #F1 pic.twitter.com/UjBGtvDj2s

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 27, 2020

British Grand Prix venue Silverstone has confirmed that, should the event go ahead, the race will be held behind closed doors. Austria's Red Bull Ring has also made the same proposal and this is a situation Carey expects to be further replicated in 'early races'.

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"We expect the early races to be without fans but hope fans will be part of our events as we move further into the schedule," continued Carey. "We still have to work out many issues like the procedures for the teams and our other partners to enter and operate in each country. The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority one and we will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures to address both risks and possible issues.

"All of our plans are obviously subject to change as we still have many issues to address and all of us are subject to the unknowns of the virus. We all want the world to return to the one we know and cherish, yet we recognise it must be done in the right and safest way. We look forward to doing our part by enabling our fans to once again safely share the excitement of Formula 1 with family, friends, and the broader community."

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