Bleekemolen is tired of panic: "Set everything right for 2021"

F1 News

22 April 2020 at 11:50
  • GPblog.com

The eyes are on a season start in Austria at the beginning of July, but an official approval has yet to come. After this race there might be several races at Silverstone, so that the Formula 1 season will start in any case. But with an official approval or not, the uncertainty about the coronavirus remains. Putting a line on the current season is therefore better, thinks Michael Bleekemolen.

Year Lost

In the Holland it is not allowed to organize large events until September 1st and until then no Grand Prix can take place in Zandvoort. In conversation with GPUpdate.net former F1-driver Bleekemolen says not to expect that there will be another Dutch Grand Prix this year. At the same time he suggests another 'solution': see the year as lost and give up.

"What I think they should do: just forget the whole year. That goes for many more sports by the way". He also argues that one should stop constantly expressing new ideas and solutions, because that comes across as somewhat panicky. "Also stop with all those panic things they're doing right now. I hear messages about four races in a row in Europe, but it's not just about emotion, it's also about money".

"The decisions are made by accountants and lawyers who don't have much to do with the sport. They have to make it round so the insurance companies don't say, "You stopped yourselves, that's what's behind it."

Focus on 2021

As long as COVID-19 continues to pose a risk, every decision is taken with uncertainty, which, according to Bleekemolen, does not make any headway. "One cannot say: 'we'll go to France and then there', they don't know at all what developments are taking place in the medical field." In other words, it is totally unpredictable.

Several races in Austria are among the options, as long as they take place behind closed doors. That in itself is a nice solution, but the question is whether something like this also works in other countries. Bleekemolen doubts that and finally says: "Set everything right for 2021", so leave 2020 for what it is.