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F1 2020 season guide: Azerbaijan Grand Prix is postponed


Organisers of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix have confirmed that the 2020 race has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Azerbaijan GP, which was due to be held at the Baku City Circuit from 5-7 June, is the eighth F1 race to be called off. 

With Azerbaijan making its announcement, the 2020 F1 season will now not start until the Canadian GP on 14 June. However, the event at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal is also a major doubt. 

The Baku City Circuit (BCC) in Azerbaijan said in a statement: “The postponement was agreed upon after extensive discussions with Formula 1 as well as the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Government of the Azerbaijan Republic.

“This comes as a direct result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and has been based entirely on the expert guidance provided to us by the relevant authorities. 

“In coming to this conclusion, BCC’s primary concern throughout has been the health and well-being of the Azerbaijani people as well as all visiting F1 fans, staff and championship participants. BCC shares its fans’s disappointment at not being able to experience the pinnacle of motorsport race through the streets of Baku this June. 

“To that end, we will continue to work closely with Formula 1, the FIA and the Government of the Azerbaijan Republic to monitor the situation with a view to announcing a new race date later in the 2020 season. 

“The thoughts of everyone at Baku City Circuit during this challenging and unprecedented situation go out to all those directly and indirectly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We wish to thank all our supporters, customers and partners for your understanding and look forward to welcoming you back to Baku later in the year for more unpredictable, thrilling racing action at the Home of the Street Fighters. In the meantime, we ask you to stay safe and stay at home if you can.”

Which races have been called off?
  • 15 March: Australian Grand Prix – cancelled 
  • 22 March: Bahrain Grand Prix – postponed
  • 5 April: Vietnam Grand Prix – postponed
  • 19 April: Chinese Grand Prix – postponed
  • 3 May: Dutch Grand Prix – postponed 
  • 10 May: Spanish Grand Prix – postponed 
  • 14 May: Monaco Grand Prix – cancelled
  • 7 June: Azerbaijan Grand Prix – postponed

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Summer break brought forward

F1 bosses have brought forward the 2020 summer break. The mid-season shutdown usually takes place for two weeks in August but this year’s revised break will be in March and April and extended to 21 days. 

The sport’s governing body the FIA said: “In light of the global impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus currently affecting the organisation of FIA Formula One World Championship events, the World Motor Sport Council has approved a change to the 2020 FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, moving the summer shutdown period from July and August to March and April and extending it from 14 to 21 days.

“All competitors must therefore observe a shutdown period of 21 consecutive days during the months of March and/or April. The change was supported unanimously by both the F1 Strategy Group and F1 Commission.”

F1 2020 season guide

Teams, cars, drivers and race numbers 
  • Mercedes W11: Lewis Hamilton #44 and Valtteri Bottas #77 
  • Ferrari SF1000: Sebastian Vettel #5 and Charles Leclerc #16 
  • Red Bull Racing RB16: Max Verstappen #33 and Alex Albon #23 
  • McLaren MCL35: Carlos Sainz Jr #55 and Lando Norris #4 
  • Renault R.S.20: Daniel Ricciardo #3 and Esteban Ocon #31 
  • Alpha Tauri AT01: Pierre Gasly #10 and Daniil Kvyat #26 
  • Racing Point RP20: Sergio Perez #11 and Lance Stroll #18  
  • Alfa Romeo C39: Kimi Raikkonen #7 and Antonio Giovinazzi #99   
  • Haas VF-20: Kevin Magnussen #20 and Romain Grosjean #8 
  • Williams FW43: George Russell #63 and Nicholas Latifi #6

F1 TV coverage in the UK

What TV channel is F1 on in 2020?

A new multi-year deal between UK broadcasters Sky Sports and Channel 4 was confirmed last year. Sky Sports will show all races live in 2020 while Channel 4 will show free-to-air live coverage of the British GP and highlights of the other 21 races.  

Watch F1 on Now TV 

Formula 1 fans can also watch the action live on Now TV. Viewers can subscribe to a Sky Sports Day Pass via Now TV for £9.99, the most economical way of watching each race.

F1 2020 betting odds

F1 2020 drivers’ championship winner

Prices according to Oddschecker

  • Lewis Hamilton: 4/7
  • Max Verstappen: 5/1 
  • Charles Leclerc: 7/1 
  • Valtteri Bottas: 8/1
  • Sebastian Vettel: 12/1    
  • See oddschecker.com for the full price list 
F1 2020 constructors’ championship winner
  • Mercedes: 2/7 
  • Ferrari: 13/2  
  • Red Bull: 13/2  
  • McLaren: 500/1
  • Racing Point: 500/1   
  • Renault: 400/1  
  • Alpha Tauri: 1,000/1
  • Alfa Romeo: 1,000/1 
  • Haas: 2,000/1    
  • Williams: 3,000/1
  • See oddschecker.com
Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands will host the F1 Dutch Grand Prix on 3 May 2020

F1 2020 grand prix calendar

Which races have been called off?
  • 15 March: Australian Grand Prix – cancelled 
  • 22 March: Bahrain Grand Prix – postponed
  • 5 April: Vietnam Grand Prix – postponed
  • 19 April: Chinese Grand Prix – postponed
  • 3 May: Dutch Grand Prix – postponed 
  • 10 May: Spanish Grand Prix – postponed 
  • 14 May: Monaco Grand Prix – postponed
  • 7 June: Azerbaijan Grand Prix – postponed
Canadian GP 
  • When: 12-14 June  
  • Where: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal 
  • Race start time (UK time): 7.10pm on 14 June 
French GP
  • When: 26-28 June  
  • Where: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet 
  • Race start time (UK time): 2.10pm on 28 June 
Austrian GP 
  • When: 3-5 July  
  • Where: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg 
  • Race start time (UK time): 2.10pm on 5 July
British GP 
  • When: 17-19 July  
  • Where: Silverstone  
  • Race start time (UK time): 3.10pm on 19 July
Hungarian GP 
  • When: 31 July-2 August 
  • Where: Hungaroring, Budapest 
  • Race start time (UK time): 2.10pm on 2 August
Belgian GP
  • When: 28-30 August 
  • Where: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 
  • Race start time (UK time): 2.10pm on 30 August
Italian GP 
  • When: 4-6 September 
  • Where: Autodromo Nazionale Monza 
  • Race start time (UK time): 2.10pm on 6 September
Singapore GP 
  • When: 18-20 September 
  • Where: Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore 
  • Race start time (UK time): 1.10pm on 20 September
Russian GP 
  • When: 25-27 September 
  • Where: Sochi Autodrom, Sochi 
  • Race start time (UK time): 12.10pm on 27 September 
Japanese GP 
  • When: 9-11 October  
  • Where: Suzuka International Racing Course 
  • Race start time (UK time): 5.10am on 11 October
United States GP 
  • When: 23-25 October  
  • Where: Circuit of The Americas in Austin 
  • Race start time (UK time): 7.10pm on 25 October 
Mexican GP
  • When: 30 October-1 November 
  • Where: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City 
  • Race start time (UK time): 7.10pm on 1 November
Brazilian GP 
  • When: 13-15 November  
  • Where: Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo 
  • Race start time (UK time): 5.10pm on 15 November
Abu Dhabi GP
  • When: 27-29 November 
  • Where: Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi 
  • Race start time (UK time): 1.10pm on 29 November

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For analysis of the biggest sport stories – and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news – try The Week magazine. Start your trial today 
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