PARIS – Formula One and FIA officials have announced the postponements of the Dutch and Spanish Grands Prix due to the global spread of the coronavirus.
Originally announced as postponed along with the Dutch and Spanish rounds, the Monaco Grand Prix has been canceled.
The news follows the cancellation of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix last week, and the postponement of the Chinese, Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix.
The Dutch Grand Prix, which was returning for the first time since 1985, was scheduled for May 1-3 at Circuit Zandvoort on May 1-3, with the Spanish race following a week later and the Monaco Grand Prix on May 21-24.
“Formula One, the FIA and the three promoters have taken these decisions in order to ensure the health and safety of the traveling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern,” FIA and Formula One officials said in a statement.
FIA and Formula One officials are continuing to monitor the situation and hope to return to competition as soon as possible.
Below is the full statement from the FIA and Formula One:
In view of the continued global spread of COVID-19 and after ongoing discussions with the FIA and the three promoters it has today been confirmed that the Formula One Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2020, Formula One Gran Premio De España 2020 and Formula One Grand Prix De Monaco 2020 will be postponed.
Due to the ongoing and fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation globally, Formula One, the FIA and the three promoters have taken these decisions in order to ensure the health and safety of the traveling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern.
Formula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with affected promoters and local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve.
Formula 1 and the FIA expect to begin the 2020 Championship season as soon as it’s safe to do so after May and will continue to regularly monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation.