14:42 – The 2020 Formula 1 season finally starts on the weekend of July 3 to 5 with the Austrian Grand Prix, after the action has been halted for some time by the COVID-19 virus. Here you will find everything you need to know about the season opener.
The seventieth season in Formula 1 history was originally scheduled to begin in March with the Australian Grand Prix, but the race was canceled shortly before the start of the first free practice session after a McLaren team member tested positive for the corona virus. Since then, the calendar has been completely turned upside down. The traditional Monaco Grand Prix disappeared from the calendar, the first Dutch GP since 1985 does not take place either.
According to the current calendar, the championship will start with two consecutive races at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, followed by another six races in Europe – including a double header at British Silverstone. More races, including races outside Europe, need to be confirmed in the near future.
This weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix is the first World Cup race since the 2019 Abu Dhabi GP, meaning no more than seven months of racing. The competition takes place behind closed doors, which means that no fans may be present. Also, the teams may only take a maximum number of team members to the circuit. Attendees at the complex must keep their distance, wear face masks, and comply with other conditions imposed by the FIA. In addition, changes were made to the procedures. The traditional podium ceremony and the drivers’ parade have been removed from the program.
However, the weekend schedule has not changed. As usual, two ninety-minute free practice sessions will be held on Friday, followed by a third sixty-minute free practice session on Saturday morning. The qualification takes place later on Saturday and consists of three segments to determine the starting grid. The race starts on Sunday afternoon at 3.10 pm Dutch time and covers the usual distance of around 305 kilometers.
Timetable Formula 1 Grand Prix of Austria 2020 – European times
Friday
Free practice 1: 11 am – 12.30 pm
Free practice 2: 3 pm – 4.30 pm
Saturday
Free practice 3: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Qualification: 3 pm – 4 pm
Sunday
Race: 3.10 p.m.
Formula 1 calendar 2020
July 5 Red Bull Ring, Austria
July 12 Red Bull Ring, Austria
July 19, Hungaroring, Hungary
August 2 Silverstone, Great Britain
August 9 Silverstone, Great Britain
August 16, Barcelona, Spain
August 30, Spa, Belgium
September 6, Monza, Italy
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