Belgian GP likely to be held behind closed doors due to COVID-19

Despite a ban on mass gatherings in the country until August 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wallonia's Minister-President Elio Di Rupo said the event could go ahead.

Brussels: Formula One's Belgian Grand Prix could be held without any spectators on August 30 due to COVID-19 pandemic, local authorities announced on Friday.

Despite a ban on mass gatherings in the country until August 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wallonia's Minister-President Elio Di Rupo said the event could go ahead.

"This measure is valid only on the condition of strictly respecting social distancing rules and hygiene and sanitary guidelines," he said in a statement.

Now the Belgian authorities have given the go-ahead, the Spa-Francorchamps organisers will have to negotiate with F1 promoters Liberty Media to cover the shortfall from lost gate receipts.

According to a news agency, almost 165,000 tickets had been sold. The COVID-19 outbreak has decimated the F1 calendar, with 10 races either cancelled or postponed.

Organisers are hoping to start the season with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5 behind closed doors.

Meanwhile, Formula One’s chief Chase Carey on Friday revealed that a series of races could be staged at new venues in an attempt to salvage the coronavirus-hit season.

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.