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Carey fully committed to launching F1 season 'as soon as possible'

Formula 1 boss Chase Carey commented the raft of decisions communicated on Thursday, insisting the sport remains "fully committed to launching a 2020 season as soon as possible".

F1, the FIA and the teams went into overdrive this week to help the sport salvage its 2020 season following the massive onslaught of the global coronavirus crisis.

During a phone conference that took place on Thursday between Carey, Ross Brawn, team bosses and FIA president Jean Todt, all parties agreed to delay the introduction of next years' regulations until 2022.

But this year's calendar was also the focus of everyone's efforts, with F1 and its governing body allowed to unilaterally re-instate postponed events without seeking the teams' formal approval, a measure destined to give F1 more flexibility in its bid to rebuild the season.

“During this exceptional time and following several race postponements and the World Motorsport Council’s unanimous decision to move the Formula 1 Summer break forward to March and April, we and the FIA discussed with the teams the need for extra flexibility to accommodate a rescheduled season once the COVID-19 situation improves," Carey said in a statement from F1.

"At the meeting there was full support for the plans to reschedule as many of the postponed races as possible as soon as it is safe to do so.

"Formula 1 and the FIA will now work to finalise a revised 2020 calendar and will consult with the teams, but as agreed at the meeting the revised calendar will not require their formal approval.

"This will give us the necessary flexibility to agree revised timings with affected race promoters and to be ready to start racing at the right moment."

Carey underlined the parties' united approach to getting F1 back in gear this season.

"Due to the currently volatile financial situation this has created, it has been agreed that teams will use their 2020 chassis for 2021, with the potential freezing of further components to be discussed in due course," he said.

"The introduction and implementation of the Financial Regulations will go ahead as planned in 2021. We are all very grateful for the collaborative nature of the discussions and fully united approach from all parties to get racing in 2020 as soon as the current global situation subsides.

"Formula 1 remains fully committed to launching a 2020 season as soon as possible."

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Michael Delaney

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