Baku City officially postpones Azerbaijan Grand Prix!

As widely anticipated, Azerbaijan Grand Prix organizers have temporarily called off the round of the F1 world championship scheduled to take place in Baku on June 7.

Monday's decision by Baku City, taken after extensive discussions with the FIA, Formula 1 and the government of Azerbaijan, brings to seven the number of F1 races either cancelled or postponed since the onslaught of the global coronavirus pandemic.

"Baku City Circuit (BCC) has today taken the decision to postpone the FIA Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2020 due to take place on June 5th – 7th," said the organizers in statement.

"This comes as a direct result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and has been based entirely on the expert guidance provided to us by the relevant authorities.

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"In coming to this conclusion, BCC’s primary concern throughout has been the health and well-being of the Azerbaijani people as well as all visiting F1 fans, staff and championship participants.

"BCC shares its fans disappointment at not being able to experience the pinnacle of motorsport race through the streets of Baku this June.

"To that end, we will continue to work closely with Formula 1, the FIA and the Government of the Azerbaijan Republic to monitor the situation with a view to announcing a new race date later in the 2020 season."

Today's cancellation means that Montreal is next in line the potential venue to host the opening round of the 2020 F1 season.

However, Canada's decision late on Sunday to pull out of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo does not bode well for the North America race whose event is scheduled for June 14, just a week later than Baku.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.