Coronavirus: Silverstone Grands Prix dates revealed as Formula One 2020 race calendar announced
Written by News on 02/06/2020
Formula One will return to Silverstone this summer with the British circuit hosting two Grands Prix on 2 and 9 August.
After months of cancellations and postponements, the sport has revealed a bumper provisional calendar to return to track action.
All races are expected to be staged behind closed doors with a minimum number of team personnel at the circuits. Social distancing measures will also be in force and on-site testing for coronavirus.
The 2020 season will kick off with an eight-race European leg of the championship, starting with a double-header at Austria’s Spielberg circuit on 5 and 12 July.
The Hungarian Grand Prix will follow on 19 July, before teams head to the Northamptonshire circuit in England.
Further races have been scheduled to be held in Spain (16 August), Belgium (30 August) and Italy (6 September).
Lewis Hamilton is aiming for a record seventh championship.
Silverstone tweeted: “We are delighted to share this announcement confirming two consecutive Grand Prix’s are to take place at Silverstone.
“Although these will be closed events we are confident that our legendary circuit will provide the perfect setting for a great show for everyone watching at home.”
Williams driver George Russell wrote: “LETTTSSS GOOO!!!”
And Scuderia AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly posted: “CAN’T WAIT!!!”
This year’s campaign was due to start in Australia on 15 March, but that Grand Prix was called off hours before first practice was due to start due to the pandemic.
A statement said: “Formula 1 has been working closely with all partners, authorities, the FIA and the 10 teams to create a revised calendar that will allow a return to racing in a way that is safe for the communities we visit and the entire Formula 1 community.
“Due to the ongoing fluidity of the COVID-19 situation internationally, we will be finalising the details of the wider calendar and hope to publish that in the coming weeks with an expectation of having a total of 15-18 races before we complete our season in December.
“We currently expect the opening races to be closed events, but hope fans will be able to join our events again when it is safe to do so.
“The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority number one, with Formula 1 and the FIA having a robust and detailed plan to ensure our races maintain the highest level of safety with strict procedures in place.”
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There had been question marks over Silverstone’s place on the revised calendar due to UK government plans to introduce a 14-day quarantine period for those arriving from abroad to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
However, the sport has been exempted from the measure.
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(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Silverstone Grands Prix dates revealed as Formula One 2020 race calendar announced
