INDIANAPOLIS — The writing was on the wall. It was just a matter of when in terms of the fate for the French Grand Prix being moved off the 2020 Formula One schedule as the season opener.

See, the race at Circuit Paul Ricard was set to run on June 28. Key word there “was.” With the 24 Hours of Le Mans that was initially scheduled to race in the country literally one week prior now being postponed until September, as well as the Tour de France being postponed from June-July until a likely Fall date, why would the GP get to keep its day under intense lock down orders inside of the country.

So, on Monday, the news that the French Grand Prix being moved wasn’t surprising. But, this was — the race is “canceled for 2020.”

Eric Boullier, Managing Director of the GIP Grand Prix de France – Le Castellet said: “Given the evolution of the situation linked to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the French Grand Prix takes note of the decisions announced by the French State making it impossible to maintain our event.

“The eyes of the GIP Grand Prix de France – Le Castellet are already turning towards the summer of 2021 in order to offer our spectators an even more unprecedented event at the heart of the Région Sud.”

I would have thought that this race shows up later this year or even run this summer without fans, but race promoters and organizers confirmed that they won’t hold the French Grand Prix in 2020 and will just move forward with their 2021 date instead. That in turn means the French Grand Prix, Australian Grand Prix and Grand Prix of Monaco have all been canceled this season.

If you had already purchased a ticket for the race, visit www.gpfrance.com for information on reimbursement.

So, that moves the new season opener for July 5 in the Austrian Grand Prix. I have a good feeling that this will be the opening date since the track has said that they will hold a fanless event if needed. F1 also said on Monday that the opening rounds will take place in July-August in Europe and a lot of them, if not all, will be run without fans. So, Austria looks like it’s a go.

Then, it’s potentially to the British Grand Prix two weeks later which could keep its date or move up a week. The annual race in Silverstone will also run without fans, which is why F1 may push a race between Austria or England or even shift England’s date up.

“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,” said race promoter Stuart Pringle. “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.

“Our obligations to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in preparing and delivering the event, our volunteer marshals and Race Makers, and of course, you, the amazing fans, means that this is the best, safest and only decision we could make.

“We have consistently said that should we find ourselves in this position we will support Formula 1 as they seek to find alternative ways to enable F1 racing to take place this year.

“Following this weekend’s news from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport we are now working with them on the viability of an event behind closed doors. Should this be possible, it will be of some small comfort for you to know that the 2020 Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix will be available to watch live on Sky and Channel 4 (in the UK).”

Silverstone says ticketholders can either transfer their booking to the 2021 Grand Prix or take a full refund. They add they will be giving thousands of tickets to next year’s race to NHS and other key workers after their efforts on the front line fighting coronavirus.

F1 boss Chase Carey made a statement himself.

“Although this morning it was announced that the French Grand Prix, due to take place in late June, will not be going ahead, we are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer.

“We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September, with the first race taking place in Austria on 3-5 July weekend. September, October and November, would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the Gulf in December with Bahrain before the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, having completed between 15-18 races.

“We will publish our finalized calendar as soon as we possibly can.

“We expect the early races to be without fans but hope fans will be part of our events as we move further into the schedule. We still have to work out many issues like the procedures for the teams and our other partners to enter and operate in each country.

“The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority one and we will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures to address both risks and possible issues.

“The FIA, teams, promoters, and other key partners have been working with us throughout these steps and we want to thank them for all their support and efforts during this incredibly challenging time. We also want to recognize the fact that the teams have been supporting us at the same time that they have been focusing enormous and heroic efforts to build ventilators to help those infected by COVID-19.

“While we have been moving forward with our 2020 plans, we have also been working hard with the FIA and the teams to strengthen the long term future of Formula 1 through an array of new technical, sporting, and financial regulations that will improve the competition and action on the track and make it a healthier business for all involved, particularly as we engage the issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All of our plans are obviously subject to change as we still have many issues to address and all of us are subject to the unknowns of the virus. We all want the world to return to the one we know and cherish, yet we recognize it must be done in the right and safest way. We look forward to doing our part by enabling our fans to once again safely share the excitement of Formula 1 with family, friends, and the broader community.”

The new schedule would have F1 start in July, hopefully the first weekend in Austria and end in the Middle East in December.

So far, 10 races have been moved with the three mentioned above (Australia, Monaco and France) being canceled. Bahrain, Vietman, China, Dutch, Spain, Azerbaijan and Canada are waiting to be rescheduled. The updated look at the new calendar would keep this schedule regionalized, which makes a ton of sense.

The first two months in Europe (July-August) would mean races at Austria, England, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and Azerbaijan would run in those two months.

The September-October races would be Russia, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam and China.

The November races would be Canada, United States, Mexico and Brazil.

The December races would then be Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

That plus the three canceled events (Australia, Monaco and France) would equal the 22 races that were on the 2020 schedule.