Coulthard: F1 races could soon start without spectators

  • Published on 29 Mar 2020 12:57
  • comments 5
  • By: Fergal Walsh

David Coulthard believes that Formula 1 races could return in the near future amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

The opening eight races of the 2020 F1 season have been affected by COVID-19, with two events (in Australia and Monaco) being cancelled altogether.

The Bahrain Grand Prix, which was set to take place last weekend, was planning to go ahead with its event behind closed doors before it was postponed altogether.

F1 is not set to see a race event until mid-June at the Canadian Grand Prix, with Coulthard stating that sporting events can still go ahead without attending fans, unlike other public gatherings such as music concerts.

"I really believe that sporting events will return much faster than concerts and other events that attract a lot of people, so the races will start again soon,” he told Ziggo Sport. “I think the Grand Prix will take place without spectators in the stands soon.”

Included in the postponed races were the Vietnam and Dutch Grands Prix, with the latter expected to see major crowds in support of Max Verstappen.

While Coulthard believes that the races later in the year will have fans in the grandstands, he affirms that the race in The Netherlands will still be successful regardless of the attendance.

“The races will be held with the public in the last part of the season. Even if there are no fans, I think the Dutch Grand Prix will be successful.

“It is a pity that the race did not take place on the scheduled dates because of this. Everyone was eagerly awaiting such a race and I hope they can set a specific date. Everything that happens reminds the world that we should be careful."

No wonder why you have always been one of the silliest things in racing....

  • 1
  • Mar 29 2020 - 14:50

Replies (5)

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  • No wonder why you have always been one of the silliest things in racing....

    • + 1
    • Mar 29 2020 - 14:50
    • What's so silly about what he said?

      • + 0
      • Mar 29 2020 - 23:02
    • @ajpennypacker Do you think spectators are the ONLY problem? Which means, the crews, the officials, etc. are NOT small crowds prone to spreading the virus? C'me on... Just think twice....

      • + 0
      • Mar 30 2020 - 17:40
  • Thought is nice, but they'll still be far more than 500 people on-board, so it'll be a heaven for infectuous substances.

    • + 1
    • Mar 30 2020 - 13:56
  • Considering many countries have already closed borders to foreigners and there are more countries going to do the same in coming weeks/months - I simply don't see how what he is saying is possible.

    • + 0
    • Mar 31 2020 - 01:39

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

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BEGrand Prix of Belgium

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Date
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Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
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United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
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7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
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United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
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5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Mar 27 1971 (54)
  • Place of b. Twynholm, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, UK, United Kingdom
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 1.82 m
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