Silverstone confirms end of April deadline for British GP

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Silverstone has set a hard deadline of the end of April to green-light or not the 2020 British Grand Prix.

The global COVID-19 crisis has so far forced Formula 1 to cancel or postpone the first eight rounds of the 2020 F1 world championship.

With sporting events, such as the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Wimbledon, continuing to be called off for next summer, the chances of motorsport resuming its normal schedule beyond June appear to be decreasing by the day.

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The promoters for the British Grand Prix have now set a firm deadline to decide the fate of their race weekend normally scheduled for July 17-19.

"Silverstone and Formula 1 remain in close dialogue regarding the ongoing situation and are assessing the feasibility of holding the British Grand Prix on 17th – 19th July," the event's promoter said in a statement released on Wednesday.

"We fully appreciate that other UK sporting events in July have taken decisions regarding their events, but it is important to highlight that their logistics and sporting arrangements differ from Silverstone's and, therefore, our timeline gives us until the end of April to make a final decision.

"The safety of our fans, colleagues and the F1 community will be our priority and we will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities."

Formula 1 chief executive Chase Carey expressed last week his confidence that F1 will kick off its season "at some point this summer", with a calendar likely reduced to between 15 and 18 events.

The Canadian Grand Prix remains scheduled for June 14, but the race is believed to be hanging by a thread. France and Austria would be next in line if Montreal is scrapped.

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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.