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Ecclestone would 'abandon' the 2020 season if he was still in charge

Published on 28 Mar 2020 12:31
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By: Coilin Higgins

Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he would abandon the 2020 Formula 1 season if he was still in charge of the sport, as opposed to trying to reschedule postponed races.

Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus across the globe in recent weeks, the first eight F1 races of the season have either been cancelled or postponed, with F1 CEO Chase Carey confident that a 15-18 race championship can still commence later in the year.

MORE: 18 races in six months is 'crazy' - Magnussen

However, Ecclestone believes that the right decision would have been to completely abandon the season on safety grounds, a move he says he would have made if he was still in charge.

"Today what would I do? I think I'd have to say we're going to close down talk of having any races this year," Ecclestone told Reuters.

"That's the only thing you could do safely for everybody so nobody starts making silly arrangements which may not be able to happen."

Ecclestone hopeful of 2020 championship but can see problems

Ecclestone cited that a decision to entirely cancel the season would not be a drastic one, using 'unfortunate' examples of other sports, such as soccer's Euro 2020, which has been postponed until next year.

He hoped that Carey and Liberty Media are able to pull off the planned championship in the latter half of the year, but said that he could see problems arising with teams and race promoters due to such a hectic schedule.

"I'd be very, very, very surprised if they managed to achieve that," Ecclestone added.

"I hope they do. I really hope they do. They could run three or four races at the beginning of next year and still count to the 2020 championship.

"The problem is where are you going to have them where the teams can go and the promoter wants to run a race. It's all very well making the calendar, which you can do while you wait. The big problem is getting the promoters to want to run the race."

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

All the more happy he isn't then. Must admit I preferred the radio silence, Äckelstone.

1
Mar 28 2020 - 14:26

F1 News Bernie Ecclestone Chase Carey

Replies (6)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
All the more happy he isn't then. Must admit I preferred the radio silence, Äckelstone.
- + 1
- Mar 28 2020 - 14:26
Talcum

Posts: 1
I also don't believe it for a second as that would have meant losing money.
- + 1
- Mar 28 2020 - 18:13
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
The chances of a successful resolution of the pandemic are up in the air. That being said, giving up hope with 75% of the year still left is poor administration. Perhaps, that's one of the reasons why Bernie was let go by Liberty media.
- + 0
- Mar 28 2020 - 23:23
Pistonhead

Posts: 556
He's right on one thing - as we've discussed in a prior post - there's no way 18 races fit into 2020 given a start date of July. Simply no way. I think it would be 12 at best now - UNLESS it does run into early 2021. Good Festival of Sport postponed 2 days ago - planning to run it later in the summer - Wimbledon to make a decision on Wednesday - these are both early July evens - an early July start doesn't look likely either.....
- + 0
- Mar 29 2020 - 10:30
essaouira311

Posts: 158
That's why Bernie will never -ever- be surpassed....
- + 0
- Mar 29 2020 - 14:36
- essaouira311
  
  Posts: 158
  Niki used to say that Bernie "is always TWO steps ahead of all the others."
  + 0
  
  Mar 30 2020 - 11:43