The FIA has suggested motorsport series work together over the coming months to avoid “turf wars” as the resumption of motorsport events begins to take place.
Formula 1 has signalled its intention to start its 2020 season in July with double-header events at some circuits, including Austria’s Red Bull Ring and Britain’s Silverstone, which look increasingly likely to host the opening four races.
Meanwhile MotoGP is reportedly looking at resuming its season in July along with several other series, but with half the year written off by then and many permanent circuits shared by multiple disciplines, there will be a rush to book up weekends.
FIA deputy president Graham Stoker warned that could lead to disputes, insisting it may be beneficial to work together and even possibly share race weekends.
“It will be an enormously competitive and potentially very crowded environment, and in one way that’s what we’ve got to hope for,” he said in an interview with the FIA’s AUTO magazine.
“We want to see the return of the enormously vibrant and diverse motorsport environment we are used to. However, it will need very careful management.
“When we look at things such as the International Sporting Code and international sporting calendar, the approach has to be flexible. It’s crucial that we prioritise the staging of events. What would be counter-productive would be to get involved in turf wars.
“Let’s not get involved in disputes about who has got which slot and what prior agreements might specify. That approach will not work.”
Stroker says at this difficult time it’s important for the wider motorsports community to come together.
“The main priority is get motorsport going again and if that means some ‘super weekends’ with multiple events happening, in co-operation and with flexibility, well, why not?
“Motorsport has got to pull together, and we’ve got to have flexibility in terms of events and venues and thinking outside the box in order to get things going again in a spectacular way that will obviously attract public interest.
“We should also demonstrate that motor sport remains relevant and a positive influence, through its messaging and actions.”
