Coronavirus: F1’s British Grand Prix sets deadline to learn fate of race

Competition’s bosses are creating a new calendar after the first eight races of the year were called off

A decision on whether or not Formula One’​s British Grand Prix will take place as scheduled this season could be made next week.

F1 bosses are creating a new calendar after the first eight races of the year were called off as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, and the revised schedule is expected to be shared before any more races are postponed.

The new calendar is likely to propose that racing begins this summer.

Stuart Pringle, managing director of Silverstone, where the British GP is set to take place, has said a decision must be made 12 weeks before 19 July, the date on which the race is to be held as things stand.

“It is not our decision alone,” said Pringle, who added that 70 per cent of his staff have been placed on furlough as a result of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We wouldn’t do anything without an agreement with Formula One, and the challenges that come with changing an international calendar.

“We are trying to find the right answer, but 12 weeks is the drop-dead date to get things prepared.”

This week, Motorsport UK, the governing body for motor racing in Britain, extended its suspension of events until the end of June. The Goodwood Festival of Speed, which normally sees a gate of over 200,000 people across its four days, was set to take place one week before the British GP, but has been postponed.

Meanwhile, the seven UK-based F1 teams are working on manufacturing ventilators to assist with the treatment of coronavirus nationwide.

Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull, Racing Point, Haas, Renault and Williams are collectively part of ‘Project Pitlane’, seeking to pool their engineering expertise to provide much-needed medical devices.

A statement on the F1 website read: “The seven teams’ combined efforts, termed ‘Project Pitlane’, are part of a UK industry-wide effort to manufacture and deliver respiratory devices to support the national need.

“Project Pitlane is focused on three workstreams. These workstreams vary in scope from reverse engineering existing medical devices, to support in scaling the production of existing ventilator designs, to the rapid design and prototype manufacture of a new device.

“Project Pitlane will pool the resources and capabilities of its member teams to greatest effect, focusing on the core skills of the F1 industry: rapid design, prototype manufacture, test and skilled assembly.

“F1’s unique ability to rapidly respond to engineering and technological challenges allows the group to add value to the wider engineering industry’s response. The seven teams remain ready to support in other areas requiring rapid, innovative technology responses to the unique challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

PA contributed to this report