F1 chiefs ponder new venues to save virus-hit season

Formula One could stage a series of races at new venues in an attempt to salvage the coronavirus-hit season, the sport's chief Chase Carey said.

On the day that Liberty Media, the company which runs the sport, reported a collapse in revenues of more than $200 million (184.7 million euros) in the first quarter of the year, Carey insisted that a 15-18 race season was still possible.

He also admitted that all scenarios are on the table "including the remote possibility of no racing in 2020".

So far, 10 races of what was to have been a record 22-event championship have either been cancelled or postponed.

The season will only get underway in Austria on July 5 and behind closed doors.

"We have two primary challenges, identifying locations where we can hold the races and determining how we transport all necessary parties and their equipment to that location for a race," said Carey.

"We're in discussion with all of our promoters as well as some tracks that are not currently on our 2020 calendar to ensure we explore all options."
"We hope to have a calendar with 15 to 18 races." He added: "We expect the early part of the calendar to be races without fans, but we hope to be able to allow fans to attend in the latter part of the year."