Season start at Silverstone in July 'very optimistic' - Webber

Former F1 driver Mark Webber believes that a July start for the 2020 season is an optimistic target for the sport.

The new season has been put on hold due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic across the world, with the opening eight races either cancelled or postponed.

F1 hopes to start the season with the Canadian Grand Prix in June, but organisers of the event are expecting to make a decision on the fate of the race in the middle of the month.

Similarly, organisers of July''s British Grand Prix scheduled for July is set to make a decision by the end of the month, but Webber, who won the race in 2010 and 2012 doubts the race will go ahead.

“It’s a ginormous headache because Formula 1 is an extraordinary, fast-moving business,” Webber told Precision Hydration.

“It’s a global sport, freight is an issue and logistically it’s one of the most challenging sports. They’re looking at around July but I still think that is very, very optimistic.”

Two-day weekends a 'good idea' for 2020 season

Despite the delayed start for the season, Webber is in favour of a possible two-day weekend format, believing it could help the sport with the time constraints it's now facing.

Webber, who won nine races during his time with Red Bull also believes that the current situation that F1 now finds itself in is the perfect opportunity to try out some formats and play around with the usual three-day weekend.

“Formula One, with the travelling circus and even TV which requires huge production teams, faces a big challenge,” Webber added.

“They’re looking at condensing the weekends to two days from three days and I think that’s a great idea to help get some events in without rushing them through.”

The best-case scenario for containment of the pandemic is end of July, for most of the world. The availability of the vaccine is by the start of 2021. Most importantly, the economy has to come back to its feet, which might take another 6 months to 1 year. I still don't see anything more than 4 ra... [Read more]

  • 1
  • Apr 5 2020 - 00:22

Replies (2)

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  • Very optimistic indeed !

    • + 0
    • Apr 4 2020 - 21:33
  • The best-case scenario for containment of the pandemic is end of July, for most of the world. The availability of the vaccine is by the start of 2021. Most importantly, the economy has to come back to its feet, which might take another 6 months to 1 year. I still don't see anything more than 4 races ( in rich cities of course ) for F1 this year, starting from September.

    • + 1
    • Apr 5 2020 - 00:22

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Australia
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29 - Aug 31 2025
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19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
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Mexico
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Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
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Qatar
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
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United States of America Miami International Autodrome
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Monaco Monte Carlo
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13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
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25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
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Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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Driver profile

  • Team -
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  • Country Australia
  • Date of b. Aug 27 1976 (49)
  • Place of b. Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia, Australia
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 1.84 m
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