Monaco Grand Prix and 2 more F1 races postponed

Paris: The Monaco Grand Prix was among three more Formula One races to be postponed on Thursday because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Dutch and Spanish GPs, scheduled for earlier in May, were also called off by governing body FIA.

The first seven races of the season have now been postponed, with organizers saying they will only begin the 2020 championship ``as soon as it's safe to do so.''

Regarding the latest postponements, Formula One and the FIA said they were taking these decisions ``in order to ensure the health and safety of the traveling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern.''

The season-opening Australian GP in Melbourne was called off only hours before it was due to start last Friday. The Bahrain GP, scheduled to start on Friday without fans, and the inaugural Vietnam GP on April 5 were then quickly called off. The Chinese GP in Shanghai on April 19 was postponed in February.

The Dutch GP was scheduled to be held on May 3 at the Zandvoort track outside Amsterdam. The Spanish GP was to follow on May 10, with the Monaco race on May 24.

The next race on the calendar is in Azerbaijan on June 7.

The mid-season break has been moved from August to March and April and extended from 14 to 21 consecutive days. Teams can choose their 21-day period for ceasing activities. That will allow more flexibility in re-arranging races.

The season is scheduled to end with the Abu Dhabi GP on Nov. 29, but could be extended to fit some postponed races in.