Formula 1 scraps 2020 calendar - working on revised schedule

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Formula 1 has officially scrapped its 2020 calendar from its website, announcing that it will publish a revised schedule for this year "in due course".

The Canadian Grand Prix became the latest round of the F1 world championship to be called off amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

While the French Grand Prix is still officially listed as the starting point for the 2020 season, the race of obviously hanging by a thread following France's decision earlier this week to extend its lockdown and ban on public events.

Belgian GP in doubt - country bans public events until August 31

"At this time no-one can be certain of exactly when the situation will improve, but when it does, we will be ready to go racing again," said Formula 1 in a statement released on Thursday.

"We are all committed to bringing our fans a 2020 Championship Season.

"Formula 1 is currently working with our Promoters on a revised 2020 calendar with the actual sequence and schedule dates for races likely to differ significantly from our original 2020 calendar.

"This will be published in due course.

"As previously announced, we will utilise the summer break being brought forward to March/April to race during the normal summer break period, and anticipate the season end date will extend beyond our original end date of 27-29th November."

Formula 1 director of motorsport Ross Brawn has suggested that the sport could kick off its campaign with a string of European races organized behind closed doors.

But such a scheme would obviously require a change to the commercial terms binding F1 to the promoters who certainly can't afford to disburse a franchise fee only to run their races with empty grandstands.

Formula 1 says that race fans who purchased tickets for a cancelled event can seek a refund by from the relevant ticket reseller or the promoter’s official website.

Tickets for races that have not yet been postponed remain valid.

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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.