Tost: Strange to go racing without fans

Michelle Foster
AlphaTauri-shakedown

AlphaTauri-shakedown

Preparing to start the 2020 season without a single fan in attendance, Franz Tost says it will be a “strange” environment for F1.

Earlier this month Formula 1 chiefs confirmed an eight-grand prix European schedule, starting on 5 July.

Formula 1 will initially go racing in Austria at the Red Bull Ring with a double-header event before heading to Hungary for a single race.

August will have four grands prix starting at Silverstone with two races, then heading to Spain, and finishing the month in Belgium.

Italy is, at present, the only race scheduled for September with F1 bosses in “no hurry” to announced the extended schedule.

AlphaTauri boss Tost welcomed confirmation of the European schedule, excited to be preparing for his team’s first grand prix under the AlphaTauri branding.

“It’s fantastic to go racing again, as it will be the first race for our new Scuderia AlphaTauri colours,” said Tost.

“We all are more than excited that it takes place at the Red Bull Ring in this wonderful part of Austria.

“A big Thank You to Dietrich Mateschitz and Red Bull for hosting Formula 1 in Spielberg, to enable Formula 1 to start the season, and to get back to work.

“It took a lot of time and effort to receive the approval from the government. This is also the result of the negotiations Dr Marko started with the authorities’ several weeks ago.”

Both races at the Red Bull Ring will be run behind closed doors with not a single fan in attendance.

That’s likely to be the story throughout the European leg of the championship, perhaps even longer.

“Of course the atmosphere will be strange and it is a shame that no spectators can attend,” Tost added, “but this is an important first step on getting Formula 1 back to normal as soon as possible.”

After a 63-day factory shutdown, AlphaTauri returned to work on 1 June with the team implemented various safety measures.

Italy was one of the hardest hit countries.

Tost explained: “The standards imposed are very rigorous and we have already employed them ourselves in our facilities in Faenza and Bicester, which led to essential staff being able to return to work on 1st June to prepare for the season.

“It is vital from a business point of view and also as a sign that life is getting back to normal.”

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