FIA to use lessons from F1 restart to help other series
The FIA will use the learnings from its efforts to restart the Formula 1 season with the Austrian Grand Prix to help racing in its other categories get back underway.
Motorsport is currently observing a period of suspension amid the hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on the 2020 F1 schedule and forced the postponement or cancellation of the first 10 races.
F1 is targeting getting its season off the ground with a series of behind closed doors European races across the summer months, beginning with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5.
The FIA will use the learnings from its efforts to restart the Formula 1 season with the Austrian Grand Prix to help racing in its other categories get back underway.
Motorsport is currently observing a period of suspension amid the hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on the 2020 F1 schedule and forced the postponement or cancellation of the first 10 races.
F1 is targeting getting its season off the ground with a series of behind closed doors European races across the summer months, beginning with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5.
Speaking in a video message address to FIA member clubs, the world motorsport governing body’s president, Jean Todt, said the FIA hopes to resume its championships as soon as it is safe to do so.
“Regarding our championships, our aim is to resume them as soon as possible while protecting the health of the people involved in their organisation, and in keeping with the instructions of the competent authorities,” Todt explained.
“In Formula 1, we hope to be able to start the season this summer, with a first Grand Prix in Austria on the weekend of July 3-5.
“We will be able to share the learnings and processes to run motorsport under COVID-19 restrictions with all of you in order to restart all our competitions and grassroots motorsport as quickly as possible.
“In parallel, the discussions around the financial sustainability of our motorsport championships will continue to be held with our promoters, the manufacturers and teams in regular meetings.”
Todt also revealed the FIA has not gone unaffected by the ongoing coronavirus crisis and is working on “various budgetary scenarios” to help overcome the situation.
“Of course, the FIA is also suffering the consequences of this pandemic, but it is working on various budgetary scenarios to better assess its impact and study how to overcome it in the best possible conditions,” he said.
“Our Federation is robust and will continue to invest and support its Clubs wherever it can.”
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