Formula 1 has announced the postponement of the Bahrain and Vietnamese Grands Prix due to the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
After the cancellation of the season opener in Australia, Formula 1 has confirmed that the second and third rounds will not procced as originally scheduled.
No new date has been assigned for the Grands Prix. Formula 1 said it will “monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve”.
“The global situation regarding COVID-19 is fluid and very difficult to predict and its right we take time to assess the situation and make the right decisions,”
said F1 CEO Chase Carey.
“We are taking this decision with the FIA and our promoters to ensure the safety of everyone involved in Formula 1 and our fans.”
The cancellation of the first three races means the season would, in theory, start with the Dutch Grand Prix in early May, but F1 admitted that “given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe in recent days, this will be regularly reviewed.”
The cancellation of the first three events means the season should begin in Europe for the first time since 1966. However, the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe in recent days has cast doubt as to whether the Dutch, Spanish or Monaco Grands Prix will proceed as originally scheduled.
According to Motorsport.com, Formula 1 could be looking to start to season in Azerbaijan in June.