The official Formula One and General Motorsport Thread for the 2020 season!

[Robbo-92]

Just looked when the current Sky exclusive deal runs out, 2024

I can’t see them cancelling more of the F1 races, I can see them having more with no fans though should the situation not improve.

[Vermilion]

I can see them having more with no fans though should the situation not improve.

By 2024, i suspect there'll be as few viewers on TV as there are in the grandstands.

[Robbo-92]

I can see them having more with no fans though should the situation not improve.

By 2024, i suspect there'll be as few viewers on TV as there are in the grandstands.

Sadly probably not far from the truth

Worst thing is they could probably get out of Sky’s exclusive deal if they wanted to make it vastly more available to the fans by having it on free to air and/or making F1 TV available in all countries with a low cost subscription (obviously still not ideal but better than Sky’s expensive whole package which having a quick look on Sky’s site is £45 a month which will probably get hiked up within a year or two. Makes the yearly price of $80 look a bargain, imagine it’d be circa £80 it F1 TV Pro was even available for people in the UK.

[floydfreak]

This article covers all the Motorsports with either alterations to their calender's or cancelled or postponed events. As it stands right now across the Motorsport 2020 calendar
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2020/03/1 ... lqLe-9jzwA

[floydfreak]

update

twitter.com/autosport/status/1237843230567174148

[floydfreak]

WEC Update

twitter.com/FIAWEC/status/1237982111501561857

https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/cancella ... ch-20/6667

Cancellation of the FIA WEC “Sebring 1000 Miles” race scheduled for March 20
Following the announcement made by President Trump at 9.00 pm(EST) on 11th March of a wide suspension of travel by non US citizens from Europe to the USA, the leadership of the WEC has reviewed the viability of staging the Sebring 1000 Miles race.

Following the announcement made by President Trump at 9.00 pm (EST) on 11th March of a wide suspension of travel by non US citizens from Europe to the USA, the leadership of the WEC has reviewed the viability of staging the Sebring 1000 Miles race planned to be held at Sebring on 20th March. After a careful review of the situation, it has been determined that the WEC race will be cancelled.

Given the large number of drivers, team staff and officials who are still in Europe and who were scheduled to travel to the USA in the coming days, it would not be possible or appropriate to stage the race in their absence.

The decision to cancel was communicated and accepted by John Doonan, President of IMSA late in the evening of 11th March.

Gerard Neveu CEO of WEC said: “This decision was not made lightly. Our teams and officials place great value on racing at Sebring in front of its enthusiastic and knowledgeable fans. While this cancelation has been forced upon us because of the travel restrictions from Europe to USA, WEC remains committed at all times to the health and welfare of its teams, officials and race fans. Further, the quality of every aspect of a WEC race event is at the heart of everything that we do and will never be compromised.”

In addition to the cancelation of the race, WEC’s Sebring test scheduled for 14th and 15th March will now not take place.

With all racecars and equipment already located in the Sebring paddock, WEC will now focus on managing an orderly return to Europe.

Ends

[Rawrgna]

twitter.com/McLarenF1/status/1238062852306583552

and with the 14 day quarantine wonder if they will miss Bahrain too

[Victor Mildew]

Damn. Just cancel the whole thing.

[Memento Mori]

Damn. Just cancel the whole thing.

I mean they have to at this point surely? It's pure greed for them to move forward with it.

[Robbo-92]

Obviously they still have time to cancel it, but if they are going to cancel it then the sooner the better for the people who are there already or travelling to watch the race.

[Peter Crisp]

I was waiting until the 2021 rule changes anyway so it's no big loss.

[Mini E]

Damn. Just cancel the whole thing.

I mean they have to at this point surely? It's pure greed for them to move forward with it.

So.... based on the past 20 years, what would suggest they're likely to cancel it?

[KK]

My condolences to Sky and BT Sports, who are about to see their subscriptions tumble through the floor. No football and no F1. A barren wasteland.

[Vermilion]

I doubt it will be cancelled at this late stage, i mean hell, the 2005 US GP wasn't even when there were only three teams left to compete.

[Mini E]

Sounds like it will be pulled fairly soon.

[Rawrgna]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51849163 the beec have two Senior officials claiming that the race is going to be cancelled although no offical statement yet

[Victor Mildew]

Aaaaand it's gone

[Robbo-92]

Seeing on Sky Sports News that its been postponed as well, probably hesitant to say cancelled till its physicality impossible to put it in the schedule at the end of the year but postponed is as good as cancelled in my opinion.

[captain red dog]

Brawn said a week or so ago that if any team can't compete it won't be a championship race. Of course back then it was when all eyes were on Ferrari. Given it's McLaren, it wouldn't surprise me if they rolled back on that.

[Robbo-92]

It’s bizarre, it’s still not officially been cancelled as of yet (but rumours are strongly pointing in this direction) and the governing body still haven’t put out an official statement.