Yahoo Autos Officials of October F1 Races in Germany, Portugal Hoping for Fans
It may not be long before spectators return to Formula 1 races. The emphasis, is clearly on the word "may" in that sentence, as when fans will be able to return the grandstands is really anybody's guess.
Although the sport's four races on the American continent, including those at Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Austin, Texas, in the United States, have now been canceled for 2020, fans are turning attention to races announced last week for the Nurburgring in Germany, Portugal's Portimao circuit, and Imola in Italy.
"There will be spectators," Portugal's tourism minister Rita Marques said about that circuit's Oct. 25 date. "We are working on several scenarios, with more or less spectators depending on the evolution of the health situation."
The Nurburgring, which last hosted an F1 race in 2013. is also hoping to welcome fans, although circuit CEO Mirco Markfort said that whether that happens is currently "in the stars."
"We do not promise that the race will be held with spectators, but we do not deny it either," he told German media outlet Auto Bild. "It's too early to talk about it."
Four-time world champion and current Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel says the Nurburgring's October 11 race date means that the weather forecast will be particularly interesting.
"It will definitely be a challenge for the teams and for us drivers," Vettel said, referring to the fact that average temperatures in the Eifel region at that time are below 50 degrees.
"I'm excited to see what the weather in the Eifel will be like in October."
Latest F1 Schedule of Remaining Races (As of July 27)
Aug. 2 - Silverstone, Great Britain
Aug. 9 - Silverstone, Great Britain
Aug. 16 - Barcelona, Spain
Aug. 30 - Spa, Belgium
Sept. 6 - Monza, Italy
Sept. 13 - Mugello, Italy
Sept. 27 - Sochi, Russia
Oct. 11 - Nurburg, Germany
Oct. 25 - Portimão, Portugal
Nov. 1 - Imola, Italy
