Coulthard: F1 will soon return, but behind closed gates

David Coulthard is predicting a swift return of F1 in the coming months, but the ex-F1 driver also believes the racing will resume without any spectators.

A string of eight cancellations has set the earliest possible start date for the 2020 season at Montreal on June 14, although many consider a mid-summer kick-off as more realistic.

F1 chief executive Chase Carey expressed earlier this week his confidence of getting the show on the road "at some point over the summer".

But if the sport is fortunate enough to get itself in gear sooner rather than later, Coulthard believes the action will take place in front of empty grandstands.

• Ecclestone calls on F1 to abandon 2020 season

"I really believe that sporting events will return much faster than concerts and other events that attract a lot of people, so the races will start again soon," the Channel 4 pundit told Ziggo Sport.

"I think the Grand Prix will take place without spectators in the stands soon."

Coulthard's prediction somewhat defies commercial logic as one wonders how a promoter could possibly be enticed to stage a race that would generate zero box office sales.

But the Scot insists that closed-gate events can happen, including the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, a race guaranteed to attract a full house thanks to Max Verstappen.

"The races will be held with the public in the last part of the season," added the 13-time Grand Prix winner. "Even if there are no fans, I think the Dutch Grand Prix will be successful.

"It is a pity that the race did not take place on the scheduled dates because of this. Everyone was eagerly awaiting such a race and I hope they can set a specific date.

"Everything that happens reminds the world that we should be careful."

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