Formula 1 remains committed to launching the 2020 season “at some point this summer”, according to an official statement.
With the first nine races of the season either cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, speculation continues to mount that the sport will be unable to race at all this year.
However, a statement released on Thursday has made it clear that F1 intends to push on.
“As stated recently our intention is to start the 2020 season at some point this Summer,” it read.
“At this time no-one can be certain of exactly when the situation will improve, but when it does, we will be ready to go racing again. We are all committed to bringing our fans a 2020 Championship Season.
“Formula 1 is currently working with our Promoters on a revised 2020 calendar with the actual sequence and schedule dates for races likely to differ significantly from our original 2020 calendar. This will be published in due course.
“As previously announced, we will utilise the summer break being brought forward to March/April to race during the normal summer break period, and anticipate the season end date will extend beyond our original end date of 27-29th November.”
Additionally, F1 moved to assuage the concerns of ticketholders who had purchased through direct channels.
“If you bought tickets for races that have been postponed or cancelled through F1Tickets.com, F1 Paddock Club and F1 Experiences, we are currently working with each race promoter on the transfer and refund options available to you. We are working at speed to finalise those options and will be in contact with you.”
Those who bought their tickets through other means are advised to seek “the latest information on transfers or refunds through their point of purchase, either the relevant ticket reseller or the promoter’s official website as transfer or refund processes may differ for each race. For races not postponed ticket holders’ tickets remain valid.”
As things stand, the 2020 season is set to get underway at the French Grand Prix in Le Castellet on June 28.