British Grand Prix will have no fans present if it goes ahead as Silverstone owners tell ticket holders racing under ‘normal conditions’ is not possible… as French GP becomes TENTH race to be axed in decimated season
- Silverstone organisers have written to ticket holders regarding the July 19 race
- They have revealed holding the race in ‘normal conditions’ is just not a possibility
- Silverstone is, however, being mooted to hold more than one race this season
- Meanwhile, the French Grand Prix became the 10th race to be cancelled so far
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
This year’s British Grand Prix will take place without fans if it goes ahead after Silverstone’s owners said that a race ‘under normal conditions is just not going to be possible’ because of coronavirus.
Organisers have not yet postponed or cancelled the July 19 event – even though the French Grand Prix today became the 10th race of the season to be axed – and Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle’s letter to fans who have already bought tickets paves the way for a behind closed doors race.
‘I am extremely disappointed to tell you that we are unable to stage this year’s British Grand Prix in front of the fans at Silverstone,’ Pringle wrote in a message published on Silverstone’s Twitter account.
Lewis Hamilton won the race last year on his way to the title and was lifted in the air by fans
Pringle continued: ‘We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the Government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a grand prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible.
‘Our obligations to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in preparing and delivering the event, our volunteer marshals and race makers, and of course, you, the amazing fans, means that this is the best, safest and only decision we could make.
‘We have consistently said that should we find ourselves in this position we will support Formula One as they seek to find alternative ways to enable F1 racing to take place this year.
Silverstone organisers have revealed there will be no crowd if British GP goes ahead this year
‘Following this weekend’s news from the department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport we are now working with them on the viability of an event behind closed doors.
‘Should this be possible, it will be of some small comfort for you to know that the 2020 Formula One Pirelli British Grand Prix will be available to watch live on Sky and Channel 4.’
Pringle has previously intimated that he would be happy for Silverstone to host two races in a bid to kick-start the Formula One season.
Speaking to the Guardian, he said: ‘We have been asked could we hold a race or two and could they be behind closed doors.
‘The answer is absolutely, we are open to looking into anything and everything.
Circuit boss Stuart Pringle says Silverstone could put on two races to kick-start the calendar
‘I have complete confidence in our ability to put on these events. We have a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge, we can turn that on definitely.’
Meanwhile, the French Grand Prix, due to take place on June 28, has been called off, Formula One has announced.
It is the 10th race of the 2020 calendar to be cancelled to date. It follows the Australian, Bahrain, Vietnamese, Chinese, Dutch, Spanish, Monaco, Azerbaijan and Canadian Grands Prix all being pulled.
Eric Boullier, managing director of the French Grand Prix, said on F1’s website: ‘Given the evolution of the situation linked to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the French Grand Prix takes note of the decisions announced by the French State making it impossible to maintain our event.
‘The eyes of the GIP Grand Prix de France – Le Castellet are already turning towards the summer of 2021 in order to offer our spectators an even more unprecedented event at the heart of the Region Sud.’
Chase Carey, chairman and chief executive officer of F1, added: ‘We have been in close contact with the French promoter during this evolving situation and while it is disappointing for our fans and the F1 community that the French Grand Prix will not take place we fully support the decision taken by the French authorities in France and look forward to being back at Paul Ricard soon.’
The French GP at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castelle has become the 10th raced to be axed