Bernie Ecclestone: Former F1 boss says season should be scrapped

2020 Formula One Championship season should be cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic, says Bernie Ecclestone


Bernie Ecclestone believes this season's Formula One championship should be cancelled as he does not think enough races can be completed for it to be valid.

The opening eight rounds of the 2020 season have been either cancelled or postponed, with doubts surrounding a number of the other 14 races as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the sporting calendar.

A minimum of eight races are required for the championship to be valid, but former F1 chief executive Ecclestone believes that will not be possible.

"We should stop the championship this year and start again next year, hopefully, because I can't see it's going to be possible to get the right amount of races in that count for a championship," the 89-year-old told BBC Radio Five Live.

"There's got to be eight from memory, and I can't see them getting that in. It's a difficult situation."

Valtteri Bottas: Mercedes driver pictured during practice at the Japanese Grand Prix
The opening eight rounds of the 2020 F1 season have been either cancelled or postponed

Should enough races go ahead, Britain's Lewis Hamilton will be attempting to match Michael Schumacher's record of seven drivers' titles, though there have been suggestions a truncated season would diminish the achievement.

But Ecclestone, set to become a father for the fourth time, said: "I don't think it will make a lot of difference to Lewis. He would win whatever the race number, whether it be eight, 16 or 20.

"If it's a world championship and he wins, it would go on his record and say he has won a world championship. The terrible thing is he would win all eight races. It wouldn't be a super championship."

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone, scheduled for July 19, is in major doubt.

Ecclestone believes the Northamptonshire circuit will be able to cope with the event being cancelled.

"I think they've got themselves organised well and truly not to have to rely entirely on Formla One for everything," he said.

"They've got a very good brand and they do a lot of other things. Whether they would be able to continue all the stuff they do outside of Formula One, at the moment I don't know.

"It's no more easy for them than anyone else at the moment. I think everyone's having to look at what they've done and can do in the future."

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

FOOTBALL TIPS

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo