WorldSBK bosses are hopeful the season can re-start at Donington Park in early July but fear it could be ‘optimistic’ given the state of coronavirus lockdown in Europe.

Currently, the 2020 season will start at the British track on July 5 with a stacked few months on the revised calendar but

“I’ve got to wish everyone safe health, good health and hopefully everyone can ride the storm and come out the other side of this terrible virus that’s inflicted the globe and we come out of it stronger and ready for action in 2020,” said BMW chief Shaun Muir.

“I think Dorna have made a really good move to keep the momentum of the 2020 Championship. It seems an age ago now since the Phillip Island round. I think it’s going to be a challenge no matter what calendar gets announced now.

“I think July’s optimistic and I think the fact we can target coming back and competing the 2020 is a real big positive for everybody.

I think we need to be realistic and put a caveat that if it doesn’t happen at Donington, then clearly the August dates are a second target but Dorna, having rolled the dice and made an announcement, is a real positive view for everyone to work towards.”

Yamaha boss Paul Denning added: “It’s a real positive Dorna are working so hard with circuits and other stakeholders to retain a credible 2020 world championship and to continue the incredibly exciting WorldSBK Championship that started in Phillip Island.

“The schedule, if it’s able to go ahead, will be very challenging, but will be appreciated by stakeholders and fans, who are the lifeblood of WorldSBK.

“For teams and manufacturers, it needs to happen safely. It needs to respect advice and regulations out there but if it can happen, PATA Yamaha is fully behind it.”