Brendan Lines   April 8, 2020

The Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal becomes the ninth race of the 2020 Formula 1 season to be postponed or cancelled this morning after event organisers received directives from public health officials. the postponement further delays the Formula 1 season into late June 2020.

Starting grid of the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix Formula 1 – Image F1.com

CEO Chase Carey supported the event organiser Grand Prix Du Canada’s decision.

“We have been working closely with our friends at the Canadian Grand Prix over the past few weeks and support them in taking this necessary decision to ensure the safety of fans and the F1 community. We always look forward to travelling to the incredible city of Montreal and while we will all have to wait a bit longer, we will put on a great show when we arrive later this year, ” He said.

As the COVID-19 pandemic further spreads across North America, Carey and Grand Prix Du Canada President Francois Dumontier had been in discussions with Tourism Montreal, provincial and federal governments.

But ultimately directives from public health officials  and expert guidance from authorities postponed the event.

When the Canadian Grand Prix’s new date is set is unknown, nor is the future dates of any of the postponed races, as Formula 1 tries to navigate the pandemic.

For the moment, F1 teams have been shutdown with their summer break brought forward.

 Formula 1, along with the likes of the McLaren and Williams teams, have begun to furlough staff and make pay cuts to management, while the drivers of those teams have also taken pay-cuts.

For now Formula 1 teams have turned their attention to ‘project pitlane’ accelerating the manufacture of ventilators for the medical industry to cope with the current pandemic.

’’I am proud to see how such wonderful initiatives and technical advancements stemming from Formula 1 are being applied in a time of crisis. At the moment it is crucial that all of our energies be put together to overcome COVID-19. We will welcome you with open arms at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve as soon as it is safe to do so.’’ Mr Dumontier said.

The next available date to begin the season is the French Grand Prix set for June 26 to 28th, a statement on the event organiser’s gpfrance.com website reads:

“In view of the information on the spread of Coronavirus, there is no reason to call into question the organisation of the 2020 French Formula 1 Grand Prix. The dates of the next Formula 1 French Grand Prix are therefore maintained.”

Health concerns arising from the pandemic’s evolution, along with travel restrictions and the availability of a workforce to provide the infrastructure, services and volunteers needed for a Grand Prix are likely to affect those dates being ‘maintained.’