F1 season expected to begin in May after Bahrain GP, Vietnam GP postponed

The 2020 Formula 1 season is expected to begin at the end of May following the postponements of the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Vietnam Grand Prix due to the continued global spread of the coronavirus, the organization announced Friday.

"Formula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with the race promoters in Bahrain and Vietnam and the local health 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," a joint statement from Formula 1, the FIA, and race organizers read.

"As a result, Formula 1 and the FIA expect to begin the championship in Europe at the end of May but given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe in recent days, this will be regularly reviewed."

The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally scheduled to take place from March 20-22, while the Vietnam Grand Prix was slated for April 3-5.

The announcement follows the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix on Thursday.

The Chinese Grand Prix, which was scheduled for April 17-19, was also postponed last month.