F1: British Grand Prix to be held without fans

ANKARA 

The British Grand Prix will take place behind closed doors given the challenges caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, it was announced Monday.

“We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a Grand Prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible,” Silverstone chief Stuart Pringle said on formula1.com.

The F1 management is working on a revised calendar for 2020 after cancellations and postponements due to the pandemic that has claimed over 200,000 lives worldwide.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the French Grand Prix got canceled due to the French government's decision to ban all major events until at least mid-July.

The United Kingdom has registered nearly 21,000 virus-linked deaths so far, along with 154,000-plus infections and 780 recoveries.

While many countries are announcing plans to ease virus lockdowns, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the UK is at point of "maximum risk" and he won't ease restrictions too quickly.