F1 can make up new 2020 calendar "without formal approval" of teams

Formula 1 will have the power to make up and schedule a new 2020 calendar for the sport without getting the teams' formal approval, Liberty Media CEO Chase Carey has said, adding he would consult teams before making a final decision.

Seven of the 22 Grands Prix for 2020 have already been postponed, with the Monaco Grand Prix organisers adding it will be cancelled altogether. As it stands, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will open the season in early June.

With the summer break having been moved from August to March and April, the second half of 2020 should be able to accommodate most of the postponed races. Writing on Formula1.com, Carey revealed he's been given the flexibility to pencil in the postponed races later in the year without getting every team's approval. 

“During this exceptional time and following several race postponements and the World Motor Sport Council’s unanimous decision to move the Formula 1 summer break forward to March and April, we and the FIA discussed with the teams the need for extra flexibility to accommodate a rescheduled season once the COVID-19 situation improves,” the American explained.

“At the meeting there was full support for the plans to reschedule as many of the postponed races as possible as soon as it is safe to do so. Formula 1 and the FIA will now work to finalize a revised 2020 calendar and will consult with the teams, but as agreed at the meeting the revised calendar will not require their formal approval.

"This will give us the necessary flexibility to agree revised timings with affected race promoters and to be ready to start racing at the right moment.”

It remains to be seen whether all 21 races will fit into the seven-month period or whether any Grands Prix will have to be cancelled.