French GP set for call-off as country extends lockdown

President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday a month-long extension to France's lockdown, a decision that further jeopardizes the French GP scheduled for June 28.

The nationwide confinement period forced by the coronavirus pandemic will last until at least May 11, after which Macron hopes for a gradual easing of restrictions, although pubs, restaurants and theaters will remain closed for the foreseeable future while all mass gatherings remain banned until at least mid-July.

• Brawn: Closed-door races in Europe could kick off F1 season

The latter decision likely implies a call-off of the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard at the end of June, with the French race set to become the tenth round of the F1 world championship to be postponed or cancelled.

The event's effective scrapping would push back the tentative start of the F1 season to July 5 and to the Austrian Grand Prix. But if travel restrictions are still in force in Europe at the start of the summer, it's doubtful that F1 will raise the curtain on its season at the Red Bull Ring.

Last week, F1's director of motorsport Ross Brawn said a prolonged global lockdown could encourage the sport to kick off its campaign by holding a string of races behind closed doors, although it remains to be seen if local governments would authorize such a scheme.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter