F1 will race in a ‘bubble of isolation’
Hoping to get the 2020 season underway in July, Ross Brawn says Formula 1 will race in a “small bubble of isolation” to protect everyone involved.
More than six weeks after the season-opening Australian Grand Prix was cancelled, there is a small light at the end of the Formula 1 tunnel.
Liberty Media is hoping to get the championship underway in Austria in July, planning for a double-header before moving onto Silverstone for more of the same.
F1’s owner has vowed to do everything it can to ensure the safety of everyone involved with the double-headers meaning less movement while behind-closed-doors races also means less contact with the general public.
The teams will also be banned from meeting up with other teams while all the outfits will have to take limited personnel to the races.
“We’re working together with the FIA, and the FIA are putting together a great structure for what we need,” F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn told Sky Sports.
“Everyone [who is entering] will be tested, and will have clearance before they can go in. And then every two days they’ll be tested whilst they’re in the paddock.
“That will be an authorised authority and will be consistent, certainly for all the European races we’ll be using the same facility to conduct that testing.
“We’ll have restrictions on how people move around within the paddock.
“We can’t have staff that socially distance so we have to create an environment within itself that is effectively a small bubble of isolation.
“The teams will stay within their own groups. They won’t mingle with other teams and they’ll stay in their own hotels. There will be no motorhomes there.
“There’s a tremendous amount of work going on between ourselves and the FIA and I’m very encouraged by what I’m seeing and what I’m hearing that we’ll be able to provide a safe environment and we can.”
The Red Bull Ring is pressing on with plans to host the season-opener although Silverstone has said that a decision on the British GP is still weeks away.
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