Lammers admits Dutch GP might not happen in 2020

Dutch Grand Prix boss Jan Lammers is hoping for the best but expecting the worst, admitting that Zandvoort's return to the F1 calendar might not happen in 2020.

After axing the first four races of the season, Formula 1 called off the Dutch, Spanish and Monaco rounds on Thursday as the global coronavirus continues to disrupt the world.

The sport's chiefs have vowed to make every effort to re-instate the postponed events later this year, and Zandvoort is among the rounds that could be slot in next summer.

But Lammers accepts that his race could be lost for this year.

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"We’ve accepted the fact that it might be one of the consequences," he told Motorsport.com.

"There are countries where the virus hasn’t even entered. Where are we on the graph of the peak?

"In China it’s getting back in control, but in which stage are we at the moment? It’s something that we’d like to think we’re in control of, but we’re not, it’s the virus that has us all in its grip."

Lammers' heart goes out to the fans, but the former F1 driver's thought ate also with all those whose life and business have been severely disrupted by the pandemic crisis.

"Of course we feel bad for the fan, but at the same time the fan lives in the same world that we do," he added.

"At this moment we absolutely don’t want to go on a pity trip in terms of how inconvenient and bad and sad it is, because there are companies that have been closed down from one moment to the next, there are people who rely on their daily cash flow which has gone to zero.

"There’s so much more going on in the world at the moment that it would be completely wrong to have a grand prix on May 3rd. Even if we would be able to do it you have to ask yourself if it’s something you want to do?

"From our point of view it’s something that we could see coming, of course. The most important news is ‘OK, not May 3rd.’ The big question now is, ‘When will it be then?’"

Lammers knows that a new August date for Zandvoort will be entirely contingent on whether the coast will be clear or not on the crucial health front.

"We would be over the moon if by July we can say the country and the world is free of the virus, but how realistic is that?," said the 63-year-old Dutchman.

"Right now we just have to be ready for all kinds of scenarios, and even as a fan you’d be better off wondering if postponing it for a year wouldn’t be better. All scenarios are possible.

"If August would be something that you focus on then it could well be a matter of time before you have to cancel that one.

"It’s all taking place in the world that we all live in. You look around and say how realistic is it? You tell me."

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