Bernie Ecclestone says he would rather abandon the 2020 Formula One season than attempt to reschedule races, if he was still in charge of the sport.
The COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc with the 2020 calendar – the first eight races being either cancelled or postponed. The first scheduled race of the year is set for June 14 in Canada.
Despite doubts surrounding the remaining races, F1 CEO Chase Carey believes that he could feasibly put together a calendar of 18 rounds.
Ecclestone dismissed the idea and said he would rather call of the entire season on safety grounds.
Speaking exclusively to news agency Reuters, he said: “Today what would I do? I think I’d have to say we’re going to close down talk of having any races this year.
“That’s the only thing you could do safely for everybody so nobody starts making silly arrangements which may not be able to happen.”
Asked about Carey’s suggestion of an 18-race calendar, Ecclestone said:
“I’d be very, very, very surprised if they managed to achieve that.
“I hope they do. I really hope they do. They could run three or four races at the beginning of next year and still count to the 2020 championship.
“The problem is where are you going to have them where the teams can go and the promoter wants to run a race.
“It’s all very well making the calendar, which you can do while you wait. The big problem is getting the promoters to want to run the race.”