Belgian GP under threat as government extends public events ban

The Belgian Grand Prix has become the latest Formula 1 race placed under threat of postponement from its existing race date following the national government’s extension on the ban of public events until September.

With pressure mounting on the French Grand Prix set to take place on June 28, after French President Emmanuel Marcon confirmed the ban on large public events would continue until at least July, the Spa-Francorchamps event has joined the list of races doubtful of going ahead as planned.

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes has confirmed the government has extended its ban on large public events until September which narrowly includes the Belgian Grand Prix which is set to take place on August 30. The country’s lockdown has been extended until May 3.

Currently, nine F1 races have either been cancelled or postponed which has led to F1 organisers preparing a reshuffled 2020 race calendar which could include running races behind closed doors.

With both the French and Belgian rounds under threat, Austrian GP officials are open to running the race without spectators if F1 can meet existing coronavirus health measures in place in the country. The Austrian round is set to take place on July 5.

F1 chief Ross Brawn is hopeful of putting on 18 or 19 races this year if the season can begin at some point in July, with the idea of running consecutive triple-header race weekends split by one weekend off. Two-day events are also being discussed by F1 bosses to help ease logistic preparations.