Formula 1 has announced the opening eight races of the 2020 calendar, as approved by the FIA.  The F1 organisers are confident that they can complete anything between 15 and 18 races before the final race is concluded in Abu Dhabi in mid- December. The finalised calendar is expected to be out before the start of the season in Austria. [An additional update regarding three more races has been filed in and featured at the end of this article on August 9, 2020]

The 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship was initially postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Formula 2 & 3 opening race calendar has also been published and can be viewed on the Formula 2 and Formula 3 websites.

When will you be able to attend? F1 experts currently expect the opening races to be closed events but hope fans will be able to join the races again when it is safe to do so. The opening calendar will include holding two consecutive events at the same circuit one week apart as well as a number of back to back events. The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority number one, with Formula 1 and the FIA having a robust and detailed plan to ensure the highest level of safety with strict procedures in place.

The revised opening 2020 calendar is as follows:

While discussions are in progress to finalise the calendar, feasibility is being realistically assessed with regard to safety of the participants and the visitors. COVID-19 developments are closely monitored in each country while close dialogues are being maintained with promoters and authorities.

The F1 organisers and their promoters in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have confirmed their decision to cancel the races for the 2020 season. Singapore and Azerbaijan needs long lead times required to construct street circuits while in Japan, ongoing travel restrictions led to the decision not to proceed with the race.

Meanwhile, the organisers claimed to have made significant progress with both existing and new promoters on the revised calendar and said “they have been particularly encouraged by the interest shown by new venues in hosting a Formula 1 race during the 2020 season.”

Liqui Moly is now an Official Sponsor of Formula 1

Regional Sponsors so far, Liqui Moly has decided to extend the success of their first year (2019) into three more years as an Official Sponsor. The term will begin at the FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GROSSER PREIS DER STEIERMARK 2020 Spielberg and run for three years to the end of the 2022 season. The partnership will allow Liqui Moly to avail of track signage at 11 Grands Prix and the ability to promote the partnership on a global basis.

Cover image supplied by Yes Marina Circuit: Aerial view at Formula One World Championship, Rd19, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Race, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday 29 November 2015.

Three more races brought back

F1 has announced that Portimão, Imola and Nürburgring will each host Grands Prix this October. Portimão is a completely new circuit to the Formula 1 season. Considering the fluctuations in the COVID-19 pandemic, local restrictions and safety precautions, it will not be possible to race in Brazil, USA, Mexico and Canada this season.