Mercedes up for challenge of “heavy” 2020 F1 calendar - Wolff

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insists the reigning world champions are ready for the challenge that will be posed by a “heavy” revised 2020 Formula 1 calendar.

After the opening 10 races were shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the heavily-delayed 2020 season will restart with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5.

Back-to-back races at the Red Bull Ring will kick off the European leg of the calendar which will be formed of eight rounds in just 10 weeks, including two triple-headers.

F1 is currently working to finalise the back-end of the season following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 6, though several flyaways on the original schedule including Canada, Azerbaijan, and Singapore are expected to be cancelled soon.

“At least we know that we’re going back to racing for the next few months,” Wolff told Sky F1.

“It’s a solid European calendar and everybody back in Brackley and Brixworth is happy that we can finally get back on track. We love the competition and we missed that.

"We know the European calendar looks pretty solid. I think the two Middle Eastern races at the end seem to be OK. And then it's about filling the big gap in autumn. I would hope that we can have 12 or more races as a minimum.

“It’s a challenge. We’re all aware why that is, but we owe it to our fans to give them racing, come up with a good show.

“Of course it’ll be heavy for all of us, doing triple-headers, not being able to go home, but it’s these special circumstances.”

Mercedes returned to the track at Silverstone this week for the first time since pre-season testing in Barcelona three-and-a-half months as it stepped up preparations and familiarised itself to F1’s strict hygiene measures ahead of the new campaign.

Pictures released by the German manufacturer during the two-day private test showed mechanics and drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas wearing masks and observing social distancing where possible.