SEE | This is what the revised 2020 Formula 1 calendar looks like

• Formula 1 gets underway this weekend in Austria

• The opening eight races of the season were canceled

• Eight races scheduled for Europe will take place behind closed doors

Formula 1 gets underway this weekend following its three-month lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The opening eight races of the season were canceled. 

An eight-race calendar was announced last month and the initial races are closed to the public.

"We have made significant progress with existing and new promoters on the revised calendar and have been particularly encouraged by the interest that has been shown by new venues in hosting a Formula 1 race during the 2020 season," read an F1 statement.

The scheduled races are the Austrian Grand Prix, Styrian GP, Hungarian GP, British GP, 70th Anniversary GP, Spanish GP, Belgian GP and the Italian GP. 

There are several races still in the pipeline, with organisers expecting to publish a full schedule before the season starts this weekend. These races include Eurasia (Russia), Asia (Vietnam and China) and Americas (Canada, United States, Mexico, Brazil) between September and November. 

With two events in the Middle East (Bahrain and Abu Dhabi) penciled in for December.