LE CASTELLET, France – The French Grand Prix at Circuit Paul Ricard will not go forward as event organizers have chosen to cancel the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The race was scheduled for June 26-28, but due to government officials in France banning all events until at least the middle of July and the continued travel restrictions across Europe, the decision was made to cancel the race outright.
The event is the 10th on the Formula One calendar to either be canceled or postponed due to the outbreak of the virus.
“Given the evolution of the situation linked to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the French Grand Prix takes note of the decisions announced by the French State making it impossible to maintain our event,” said Eric Boullier, Managing Director of the GIP Grand Prix de France. “The eyes of the GIP Grand Prix de France – Le Castellet are already turning towards the summer of 2021 in order to offer our spectators an even more unprecedented event at the heart of the Région Sud.”
Formula One CEO Chase Carey said in a statement following the cancelation that the series is now aiming to start its season with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 3-5 at the Red Bull Ring.
“Although this morning it was announced that the French Grand Prix, due to take place in late June, will not be going ahead, we are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer,” Carey said. We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September, with the first race taking place in Austria on July 3-5.
“September, October and November, would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the Gulf in December with Bahrain before the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, having completed between 15-18 races.
“We will publish our finalized calendar as soon as we possibly can.”
Carey indicated that the early races on the calendar would likely be run without fans in an effort to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We expect the early races to be without fans but hope fans will be part of our events as we move further into the schedule,” Carey added. “We still have to work out many issues like the procedures for the teams and our other partners to enter and operate in each country.
“The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority one and we will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures to address both risks and possible issues.”