F1 reveals first 8 races of revised 2020 calendar

Formula 1 has confirmed the 2020 world championship will begin on July 5 with the Austrian Grand Prix having revealed the first eight races of a new calendar.

Tuesday’s developments mark the first time since the sport entered its coronavirus-induced hiatus in March that a revised calendar has been confirmed.

All eight races will be supported by both the Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships.

The season kicks off with the expected doubleheader at the Red Bull Ring, followed by the Hungarian Grand Prix in mid-July.

Following the race in Hungary the season will enter its first break before commencing a fortnight later with back-to-back races at Silverstone and then the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona a week later.

The Belgian and Italian Grand Prix round out the eight-race European leg in September.

F1 are expecting all races to go ahead behind closed doors but admits there is hope fans will be able to return once it is deemed safe to do so.

“In the past weeks we have been working tirelessly with all our partners, the FIA and the teams to create a revised opening 2020 calendar allowing us to restart racing in the safest possible way,” said F1 boss Chase Carey.

“We are pleased to be able to set out our opening eight race calendar today and look forward to publishing our full calendar in the coming weeks.

“I want to thank every promoter and partner for their support and ongoing commitment to Formula 1.

“While we currently expect the season to commence without fans at our races we hope that over the coming months the situation will allow us to welcome them back once it is safe to do, but we know the return of Formula 1 will be a welcome boost to sports fans around the world.”