Ross Brawn, Head of Formula One, said today in statements to the championship's website that the 2020 season will probably start in Europe, and possibly behind closed doors, after the delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, the Canadian Grand Prix became the ninth race to be postponed (or canceled) due to the virus, and F1 officials are working with promoters to create a revised calendar for a time when it is possible to compete again.

Brawn said that the desire of Formula One is to race as soon as possible, even if it means holding some of the early races without spectators, in order to provide entertainment to fans in difficult times.

"Our opinion is that probably a European start will be favorable and that it could even be behind closed doors. We could have a very controlled environment, where teams travel on charter flights, we channel them into the circuit, make sure that everyone undergoes testing and that there is no risk to anyone," he said.

"Having a race without spectators is better than not having a race at all. We have to remember that there are millions of people who follow the sport sitting at home. Being able to keep the sport alive and entertain people would be a great advantage in this crisis that we have. But we can't put anyone at risk," added Brawn.

"We are looking for the organizational structure that allows us to start as soon as possible. But it doesn't make sense to start and then stop again for a while. It will probably be a European start. It is conceivable that it could be a closed test," added Brawn, who pointed out that it would be credible to have a calendar of 18 or 19 races, and, "if possible, start racing in July."

"Eight races is the minimum we can have in a World Championship, according to the FIA statutes," says Brawn. "We could have eight races if we were to start in October. So if you wanted a deadlock, it would be in October," he said.

"But there is always the possibility that we may find ourselves within next year. That's being explored. Can we enter in January to finish the season? There are all kinds of complications, as you can imagine," he added.

"If we could start in early July we could have a 19-race season. It would be difficult: three races, a free weekend, three races, a free weekend. We have looked at all the logistics, and we believe we can have a season of between 18 and 19 races if we can start in early July," he noted. EFE