Formula One postpones further three races

Formula One and the FIA have announced on Thursday that the Dutch, Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix have been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus crises.

Although it was widely exptected, the sport has now officially confirmed that the Dutch, Spanish and the Monaco rounds of the 2020 FIA Formula One Champiosnhip became the latest victims of the coronavirus epidemic.

The statement read: "Due to the ongoing and fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation globally, Formula 1, the FIA and the three promoters have taken these decisions in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern."

"Formula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with affected promoters and local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve."

The Heineken Dutch Grand Prix was scheduled to kick off European leg of the season with the revamped Zandvoort circuit making its comeback following a 35-year hiatus. After staging the pre-season testing, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya would have been the second European venue while the Monaco Grand Prix was planned for May 24.

Following the latest postponements of races, the earliest the 2020 championship will begin is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that is scheduled for June 7.