CONFIRMED: British GP will NOT take place in front of fans

Silverstone owners said on Monday that no spectators would be able to attend the British Grand Prix due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the race is still scheduled to go ahead.

The French Grand Prix scheduled for 28 June was cancelled on Monday but while organisers have not yet made a final decision on postponing or cancelling the 19 July British race, Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle paved the way for a behind-closed-doors race.

"I am extremely disappointed to tell you that we are unable to stage this year's British Grand Prix in front of the fans at Silverstone," Pringle in his statement on Silverstone's Twitter account.

"We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions... that a grand prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible."

Britain has been particularly badly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, with the number of deaths topping 20 000.

The actual toll could be much higher when deaths in the community are taken into account, particularly at care homes.

The French Grand Prix is the 10th leg of the 2020 championship to be either scrapped (Australia, Monaco, France) or postponed (Bahrain, China, Vietnam, Netherlands, Spain, Azerbaijan, Canada).

Revised 2020 Formula One calendar after the French Grand Prix was cancelled:

Cancelled - March 15: Australia (Melbourne)

Postponed - March 22: Bahrain (Sakhir) 

Postponed - April 5: Vietnam (Hanoi)

Postponed - April 19: China (Shanghai)

Postponed - May 3: Netherlands (Zandvoort)

Postponed - May 10: Spain (Barcelona)

Cancelled - May 24: Monaco

Postponed - June 7: Azerbaijan (Baku)

Postponed - June 14: Canada (Montreal)

Cancelled - June 28: France (Le Castellet)

Still planned:

July 5: Austria (Spielberg)

July 19: Great Britain (Silverstone) 

August 2: Hungary (Budapest)

August 30: Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)

September 6: Italy (Monza)

September 20 Singapore (Marina Bay)

September 27: Russia (Sochi)

October 11: Japan (Suzuka)

October 25: United States (Austin)

November 1: Mexico (Mexico City)

November 15: Brazil (Sao Paulo)

November 29: Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

??An update from our Managing Director, Stuart Pringle about the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2020. pic.twitter.com/APIXq8F2OS

— Silverstone (@SilverstoneUK) April 27, 2020