F1 has power to change calendar without teams' approval

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey says teams will not need to formally approve any calendar changes amid attempts to reschedule postponed races into the 2020 schedule. 

Championship officials are currently trying to rearrange the 2020 season calendar after the opening seven rounds were either postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

F1 has power to change calendar without teams' approval

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey says teams will not need to formally approve any calendar changes amid attempts to reschedule postponed races into the 2020 schedule. 

Championship officials are currently trying to rearrange the 2020 season calendar after the opening seven rounds were either postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The F1 season will not begin before June 7 in Baku at the earliest after the Dutch, Spanish and Monaco grands prix were shelved, but it is hoped all races - barring the fully cancelled Monaco round - can be added to the schedule at a later date, with August’s traditional break now free after teams agreed to bring the shutdown period forward to March-April. 

The calendar was a key subject on the agenda during phone conference call on Thursday held by the 10 teams, F1 chiefs Carey and Ross Brawn, and FIA president Jean Todt. 

In a statement issued after the meeting Carey insisted that he is "fully committed to launching a 2020 season as soon as possible”.

“During this exceptional time and following several race postponements and the World Motorsport Council’s unanimous decision to move the Formula 1 Summer break forward to March and April, we and the FIA discussed with the teams the need for extra flexibility to accommodate a rescheduled season once the COVID-19 situation improves,” Carey said. 

“At the meeting there was full support for the plans to reschedule as many of the postponed races as possible as soon as it is safe to do so. Formula 1 and the FIA will now work to finalise a revised 2020 calendar and will consult with the teams, but as agreed at the meeting the revised calendar will not require their formal approval. 

“This will give us the necessary flexibility to agree revised timings with affected race promoters and to be ready to start racing at the right moment.”

Teams also agreed to delay the introduction of the 2021 technical regulations by a year until 2022, with the finer details set to be formally approved in due course. 

Speaking about the postponement of the 2021 rules, Carey added: ”In addition, as announced by the FIA, it was agreed unanimously at the meeting that the implementation of the Technical Regulations due to take effect from the 2021 season will be postponed until 2022. 

“Due to the currently volatile financial situation this has created, it has been agreed that teams will use their 2020 chassis for 2021, with the potential freezing of further components to be discussed in due course. 

“The introduction and implementation of the Financial Regulations will go ahead as planned in 2021.

“We are all very grateful for the collaborative nature of the discussions and fully united approach from all parties to get racing in 2020 as soon as the current global situation subsides. 

“Formula 1 remains fully committed to launching a 2020 season as soon as possible.” 

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