Phil wrote: ↑18 Mar 2020, 18:59
I agree, I definitely see this as a possibility and very large probability too. The only problem is that the deals are in place and venues around the world have paid F1 millions to host a race. The spectators at the track is a very important element for these venues/governments/countries to regain their investment, as well as attracting audiences, tourists etc.
Executing the races without on-track spectators will put a huge dent into their investment, to the point I'm wondering if F1 will have to back-track on their deals in order to 'save part of this season' if not future seasons as well. If not, and you were for example Silverstone, would you continue to host an empty race and spend these millions for nothing... in a time where every country is looking at billions that will be required to back the economy and incoming recession?
Ticket sales to spectators only matter to the old school tracks with old school promoters who are still trying to run a traditional racing business model.
All the new age tracks that exist solely to give an "emerging" country some international exposure don't care at all about bodies in seats, which is why they go on paying the fees year after year despite no one actually going to the races.
So it's a mixed bag. A lot of races could occur just fine with no one in attendance. It would hurt a place like Silverstone, Spa, Monza, etc., much worse.
But Baku? China? Russia? The fees there are being paid by national governments and they don't need ticket sales for the whole thing to make economic sense for them.