All European F1 races could be closed-door events – Brown
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All Formula 1 races staged in Europe during the 2020 season could be held behind closed doors, according to McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown.F1 championship bosses and teams took part in a crunch virtual meeting on Thursday to discuss how to get the 2020 campaign underway following a heavily delayed start with the opening nine races postponed as a result of the global coronavirus crisis.One of the considerations tabled was to begin the season with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5, followed by two races at British Grand Prix venue Silverstone, both without spectators.F1 is looking at all options to get the season started as soon as it is safe to do so, with sporting chief Ross Brawn recently admitting races could be held behind closed doors with at least eight grands prix required to validate a world championship campaign.Brawn said he is hopeful that F1 can hold at least 18 rounds this season as long as racing can start by July, with teams understood to be in favour of races extending into January next year if needed.”Everything is very tentative but [the British GP] would go on its scheduled date but closed to fans,” Brown told Radio Four’s Today programme.”In fact, it looks like possibly all the European rounds will most likely be in that scenario.”With now our condensed schedule, what’s the best way to get as much racing done as possible, and one of those ideas are potentially multiple events at the same location, Silverstone being one of those.”F1 is currently assessing how to lower costs and reduce the financial strain on the teams amid fears some could be lost from the sport altogether due to the prolonged spell without racing.”It’s extremely tough,” Brown explained. “There’s little to no revenue coming in. You know, we’re not racing.“The contributions that the promoters make, sponsor partners have been have been great, but they’re under an immense amount of pressure themselves.”4″So we have kind of turned the faucets off on any money we’re spending to limp through to when we’re ready to start racing again.”
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