Hill: "Short-season causes world champion's reputation to be lost"

12:12, 24 May 2020
2 Comments

The 2020 F1 Championship should have been at the seventh Grand Prix by now. Unfortunately the coronavirus has caused five of those races to be postponed, while the Grand Prix of Australia and Monaco have been cancelled completely. Because of this there will be a less extensive championship next season, which also means that there is less value to the championship. That's what Damon Hill, world champion in 1996, expects.

"One of the biggest concerns is that this season is likely to lose reputation. No one wants to win the championship that they later say wasn't really a real world championship," Hill told the Evening Standard. "So it's important that it's as intense and clear as normal. In the end, it won't be like a real championship, as the real test is whether the team can hold out for a whole season."

Eight European races

Hill already has an expectation for a possible championship. The requirements for a world championship, for example, are that there must be twelve races. "I expect it to be realistic to have eight European races and then four races outside Europe, which would really be a big win". Due to the coronavirus, it is difficult to get all teams to different countries, because of the strict measures of each country.

"I am always amazed at what Formula 1 is doing, against all odds. I therefore expect that twelve races is a realistic goal", said Hill.

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2 Comments
Howard Lawrence-Brown 24 May 2020 at 18:35+ 299

I think the figure 12 or 22 f1 races in terms of the championship is unimportant as are the regulations, change them to produce a ch winner irrespective, short season will be intense good for outright competition

Eirik Dahl 24 May 2020 at 13:46+ 6

I understand what he means with a shorter season being worth less, but i think i disagree. A short season poses completely new challenges and could be difficult enough by far. It's more intense, leaving the drivers to not be able to settle in for a season rhythm. Each point is worth more since there are less of them which means you have to do good every race. The long off season also poses its problem. Who has been training constantly and who has not. Who has been staying on top of their game? 2020 championship is valid