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

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.