FIA comes out: "Wants to finish next F1 season in 2020"

"If we know when we can start, we can have at least two or three Grands Prix a month after that," says Todt at Motorsport.com. The Frenchman hopes to start a new Formula 1 season in July or August. "If we continue until December then we will have six months. And six times three Grands Prix, then we'd have eighteen races". That's about the same as Ross Brawn said he hoped.

The FIA wants to finish the F1 season in 2020.

To make that possible, Todt warns that a lot of 'flexibility' and 'creativity' is needed to create such a calendar. From that point of view, it has been suggested in recent weeks that the season could last until January 2020, perhaps February 2020. However, the FIA seems to be looking at other options first. "At the moment, it doesn't seem likely."

The plan has been discussed at the table, but is seen as the very last option. "It has been discussed and it's also partly in the hands of commercial rights holders, who have contracts," Todt continues. "For us as an overarching body, it's ultimately a question of saying yes or no."

Number of 19 GP's is not guaranteed

The highest priority now is to start the season, with or without an audience. But Todt doesn't rule out the following: "It may be safe for promoters to organize a race, but they just don't want it. In which they say 'I'm not in the mood to organize a race now'. Because a race should be a celebration."