Formula One races in Bahrain, Vietnam, China, Netherlands, and Spain have also been shelved but F1 organisers are hoping to shoehorn them into a breathless finale after the coronavirus passes

It was supposed to be the world record in 22 races, but with the postponement or cancellation of seven major races, Formula One in 2020 became a shorter, more compact and economically challenging race for the title.

The season's opening in Australia has been removed and the magnificent Riviera masterpiece at F1 in Monaco.

Races have also been frozen in Bahrain, Vietnam, China, the Netherlands and Spain, but regulators are still hoping to put an end to them as soon as the risk of coronavirus subsides.

The season that should have started in Melbourne on March 14 will not start until Azerbaijan on June 7 at the earliest.

"It is very difficult to recalibrate because it is not known when everything will be operational," Alfa Romeo F1 team manager told AFP.

"It is imperative that we have a global vision. England is not very affected at the moment, but it may be when Italy is less affected," he added, referring to the two countries hosting most of the world championship teams.

There are still 15 races in the calendar before the final race in Abu Dhabi on November 29.

Last weekend, Ross Brown, the sporting director of the F1 team, said he was optimistic about the "17-18 race " championship.

However, this was when only Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China were eliminated.

On Thursday, the Dutch Grand Prix, which was due to return to the calendar for the first time since 1985 on May 3, was postponed, and the Spanish event, scheduled for May 10, was postponed.

The Monaco GP race, an annual show since 1955 and scheduled for May 24 this year, has been completely canceled.

UNCHARTERED territory

"We are in an unknown area. I am very optimistic that we can have a good professional championship ranging from 17 to 18 or more," Brown told Sky Sports.

"I think we can put pressure on them. But it depends on when the season starts." There is room for action.

The traditional three-week summer shutdown was canceled in August to replace a 21-day break in March and April, with the race season down.

The tournament is now a hectic six-month race instead of a nine-month marathon.

To save the schedule, there are two races chosen at the end of the week itself.

"This is possible," Brown said, as he watched the three weeks between Hungary's Hungarian race on August 2 and the spa in Belgium on August 30.

"One thing we've been talking about is two-day weekends too, so if we had a triple head on two-week weekends, that might be an option," F1 tried three races in a row in 2018, but support was tepid from sweating The difference from staff fatigue.

"I think what we need from teams this year is flexibility, and I think they should be given some time to do these things," Brown added.

"Because we are in very unusual circumstances and we have to make sure we have a season that provides a good financial opportunity for the teams."

"We will definitely get off to a smooth start. I'm sure the teams will be flexible to allow us to adapt these things." More than ever, bank balances and income will be essential in 2020 as teams and regulators face the effects of a shorter and more crowded season.

"The costs are not necessarily much lower if you run 18 races instead of 22," Vasier said.

"In addition, our income will be less: we will run fewer races, and we will have fewer commercial rights."


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