F1 cancelled this year?

[HughG]

MotoGP in Thailand cancelled, Australia has it's first case of person-to-person transmission. I don't think it's looking good for Melbourne.

[George 54]

A question I have is , if this years champion is not run as scheduled in All countries as planed , but is reduced by say a three or four races and someone is crowned as the Drivers Champion , should it be seen as a lessor Victory?

[coppice]

Of course not - if you have ,more points than anybody else when the music stops you are champion, no matter when the music does stop. Despite all those asinine threads about 'deserving' and 'undeserving 'champions . all the silly woulda shoulda coulda mumbling , it really is that simple.

In , 1955, '65 and '75 we had 7, 10 and 14 Grands Prix respectively and nobody is suggesting - I hope - that Messrs Fangio, Clark and Lauda were somehow less worthy than somebody who competes in today's overcrowded calendar ?

[Eric Mc]

For many years, 16 was the standard number of point scoring Grand Prix races.

[TheDeuce]

Eric Mc said:

For many years, 16 was the standard number of point scoring Grand Prix races.

Fingers crossed we get that many races this year....!

As for whether or not a reduced season still counts in WCC/WDC terms.. as always, if it's the same for everyone then it's fair and it counts imo.

[DaveTheRave87]

I have a nasty feeling that we won't see any racing until at least Zandvoort. The big problem is the lead time to make a decision, you can't decide to see how things are the week before.

Maybe they could simulate the 1st few races over the Internet like the F1 e-sports. The graphics are that realistic that half the viewers won't catch on.

[TheDeuce]

Sounds like the Australian Government have accepted it's not wise to 'ban Italy', so looking like the GP can go ahead

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/australian-gp-g...

I for one hope it goes without a hitch or drama and that it sets a template for the rest of the season - proof that we can have F1 even in a corona virus obsessed world.

[London424]

If they cancel a few then fine. But if they only ran a handful of races then yes it would be a lesser championship.

I'll go with anything less than half probably closer to needing to run 15+

[OlonMusky]

How can anything prevented if despite all the drama many people still haven't learnt to cover their mouths when coughing or not to keep feet on seats on public transport. The stupidity works top down so there's little chance of anything changing.

[Petrus1983]

Derek Smith said:

I'll believe all the hype only if the stock markets have their biggest fall since 2008.

10% in a week isn’t great.

[Chrisgr31]

If you follow Christian Sylt on Twitter you’ll find him saying that they will all be cancelled and Liberty isn’t dealing with it well.

Seems surprising to me that someone who is selling business data related to F1 is so willing to nail his colours to the mast.

Seems to me we don’t know what contract terms are with the circuits, teams and insurers and F1 and Liberty have to rely on others or else risk a very large bill for cancelling an event.

The big problem will come if any team is affected by quarantine rules, but presumably once they get to Australia if necessary they can avoid returning to anywhere subject to quarantine rules?

[thegreenhell]

Chrisgr31 said:

If you follow Christian Sylt on Twitter you’ll find him saying that they will all be cancelled and Liberty isn’t dealing with it well.

Seems surprising to me that someone who is selling business data related to F1 is so willing to nail his colours to the mast.

Isn't he Ecclestone's lapdog, so it's no surprise, and not the first time he's talked down about the new owners.

[oyster]

The thing is, if just one single person closely involved in F1 is tested positive for the virus then what?
With a 14/24 (delete as appropriate) incubation period, there is no time to effectively quarantine before the next race.

And if other major sporting events get cancelled, then how can F1 be treated differently?

I desperately hope we see a full season (well assume China doesn't make it back on the calendar), but I'm nervous now.

[threespires]

Sky Sports 02/03/20 10:05am :-

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11947762/a...

Australian GP organisers insist they are "all systems go" for the first race of the 2020 F1 season despite concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

[Petrus1983]

I think a significant number of races will be cancelled, people/team members not being able to travel - overall a bit of a mess.

It’s fine for Chase to say it will be done on a race by race basis but I’ve got tickets for the Austrian GP but haven’t booked travel and accommodation yet - should I, or take the risk and wait?

[Angpozzuto]

IMO if there are a few races cancelled this year it won't make the winner an lesser champion, I think that would only be the case if some teams have to miss races due to quarantined staff

[AJB88]

threespires said:

Sky Sports 02/03/20 10:05am :-

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11947762/a...

Australian GP organisers insist they are "all systems go" for the first race of the 2020 F1 season despite concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

Doesnt really matter what AGP organisers or LIberty say.. if the government put a restriction in place thats final.

[Chrisgr31]

Petrus1983 said:

I think a significant number of races will be cancelled, people/team members not being able to travel - overall a bit of a mess.

It’s fine for Chase to say it will be done on a race by race basis but I’ve got tickets for the Austrian GP but haven’t booked travel and accommodation yet - should I, or take the risk and wait?

I’d check the terms of any travel insurance policy you have carefully, and read what the cancellation clauses say. Booking earlier rather than later is probably better though

[Petrus1983]

Chrisgr31 said:

I’d check the terms of any travel insurance policy you have carefully, and read what the cancellation clauses say. Booking earlier rather than later is probably better though

A friend and I had a few extra drinks whilst watching a gp last year and bought weekend tickets, no stands etc so at this stage we haven’t lost much. I think if I booked all the extras now the insurance wouldn’t pay out anyway as I can foresee them really tightening on what they do pay out on if this take hold. I’m more concerned for those who’ve already bought the ‘full works’ packages.

[grassomaniac]

thegreenhell said:

Chrisgr31 said:

If you follow Christian Sylt on Twitter you’ll find him saying that they will all be cancelled and Liberty isn’t dealing with it well.

Seems surprising to me that someone who is selling business data related to F1 is so willing to nail his colours to the mast.

Isn't he Ecclestone's lapdog, so it's no surprise, and not the first time he's talked down about the new owners.

He could well be right but I wouldn't bet on it.

EDIT: apologies I thought Pitpass.com was his for some reason, it isn't. I still don't like their content for the reasons I said (I don't like how they present their opinion and sling mud at other journalists)

Edited by grassomaniac on Monday 2nd March 16:42