Formula 1 boss Chase Carey says the sport ideally wants to “have a handle” on its 2020 schedule by the end of the month, but is not setting a definitive deadline.
The championship’s 2020 schedule has been wrecked by the coronavirus pandemic, causing the re-arrangement of several events, and the cancellation of others.
As it stands Formula 1 has organised eight events at six venues between July and early September, and has outlined its intention to run 15-18 races in total.
It is understood that Formula 1 hopes to fit in as many ‘flyaway’ events through September, October and November.
There is confidence that events can take place in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in December to conclude the season, but the ever-changing nature of the coronavirus pandemic means other ‘flyaway’ rounds are more problematic.
Formula 1 was meant to visit Singapore, Russia, Japan, the United States, Mexico City and Brazil, along with Abu Dhabi, after the summer months.
Events in Vietnam, China, Azerbaijan and Canada are currently pending.
“We’re in uncharted waters,” Carey said in an interview with the official Formula 1 website.
“We certainly continue to have a lack of visibility beyond a fairly short timeframe.
“We’re engaged with all our promoters and we’re in active discussion with all of them, all of them are struggling to have the same visibility.
“We’re not going to give a deadline right now. With the fluidity of the situation, a deadline would create pressures which may not be right and realistic for the situation so we’re thinking of goals.
“Our goal would be before the end of June to if not complete the rest of the calendar, is to have a handle on it. We know what we would like to try and do.”
Carey confirmed that “we have other options if some things don’t come together.
“We do expect there are races which are on the calendar which will probably still not occur. I think we certainly have options.”
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