Monza's Italian Grand Prix to take place without F1 fans

The promoters of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza have confirmed this year's race on 6 September will take place behind closed doors without Formula 1 fans.

F1 has kickstarted its heavily-delayed season with a series of behind-closed-doors events to ensure races can take place safely amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The opening eight rounds have already been confirmed to be staged without spectators, including the forthcoming double-header at Silverstone, beginning with this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Monza has now become the latest circuit to confirm the race will go ahead behind closed doors and informed ticket holders of the decision in a statement on Wednesday.

"The 2020 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza from 4-6 September will take place behind closed doors, i.e. without spectators," the statement read.

"Tickets already purchased will be refunded for the full value of the face price shown on them.”

The decision means F1 will lose one of the most colourful podium ceremonies on the calendar, as well as the absence of the famous tifosi fans at Ferrari’s home event.

F1 championship bosses have remained optimistic about allowing a limited amount of fans back to races by the autumn. Tickets are already sale for the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi at the end of September.

Meanwhile, F1 is monitoring Spain’s coronavirus situation following a spike in cases amid a concerns about the country’s hopes of staging a grand prix on August 16.

The race is currently expected to go ahead as planned given F1 is exempt from the UK government’s strict 14-day quarantine rules on travellers returning from Spain, though bosses are understood to be watching the developments closely.