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Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula One world champion, believes this season should be scrapped in favour of some unique racing events.
A record-breaking 22-race calendar was on the cards for 2020 until the global crisis put all major sport on hold until further notice.
For Formula One, that has ensured the postponement or cancellation of the first eight races of the season and there could well be more delays to come.
With the current calendar effectively in tatters, Villeneuve has suggested an alternative option if some racing can indeed be salvaged later in the year.
"It might be smarter to say: ‘There won't be a championship. We'll race and each race will be a unique event, like the Indy 500 or the Le Mans 24 Hours," Villeneuve is quoted as having told French broadcaster Canal Plus.
"Each Grand Prix would be like a Grand Slam rather a round of half of a championship.
"It would also allow teams to use the end of 2020 to prepare for 2021."
If an actual World Championship is possible, Villeneuve believes it may not be until September before we see any action. But, that is not something he necessarily wants to see.
"Even if the world opens up and we can have a Grand Prix after the pandemic, it takes time to set up an event," he added.
"The first Grands Prix on the calendar should take place in September. I imagine the various organizations and Formula 1's owners will want to hold the maximum amount of races to comply with their contracts' minimum requirement, but that would be a mistake.
"It would be a pity to start filling up August and then have races unfold from September until Christmas, and even beyond, just for the sake of having a championship."
- TEAMtalk media
