Questions and answers before the two Austrian races

What restrictions apply on site? The area around the Red Bull Ring is a high-security zone. Access is strictly limited, only around 3.000 people are allowed on the route. The ten teams are allowed to have a maximum of 80 employees, plus officials, marshals, a few media representatives and participants in the supporting series, which are also taking place. There are no spectators, no sponsors or VIP guests, tents instead of the “motorhomes”, social interaction is reduced even between teammates. All participants must continually test negative for the coronavirus.

How do drivers enter the country? The teams arrive at Zeltweg airport on charter flights mainly from England and Italy. If possible, the group should arrive as a group and stay together until July 12th, after the second race. When you arrive at the Ring site for the first time, you must present a certificate of a negative corona test that is not older than four days. The teams all live in their own hotels, which they are rarely allowed to leave, even during their free time.

Why are the regulations so strict? When the rules were being drawn up, the Covid-19 situation was more worrying, and Formula 1, based in London, was constantly under the impression of the dramatic situation in England. On the one hand, this is intended to guarantee that the Grand Prix can take place despite corona infections in the paddock. On the other hand, that's exactly what you want to prevent, as you want to avoid a PR disaster like the one caused by the tennis professionals' Adriatic tour.

Lewis Hamilton is the big hunted. © APA/afp / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Who will be tested and when? The employees of the companies involved in the Grands Prix (stakeholders) are divided into several categories. Anyone who works in high-security zones is profile 1 and must, among other things, have a PCR test done every five days and maintain a strict distance from other groups. Even in the days between the two races. There are 20 test stations available on the site, and the contracted company Eurofins carries out 5.000 swab tests per race weekend.

What happens if the test is positive? Separate wards will be set up to isolate those affected. Everyone who had contact with those who tested positive will be checked again. In the case of a driver testing positive, the affected team would be tested. The Grand Prix would still take place. Every team has reserve drivers who would step in. It is not known how many people would have to be proven to be infected for the event to be canceled.

Where should mouth and nose protection be worn? The plan is for everyone involved to wear protection where there are a lot of people in a small space. This also affects the mechanics in the pits - and that could be problematic at high temperatures. It is not without reason that some racing teams have prescribed breathing exercises for their pit crews.

How do the award ceremonies work? The award ceremony will take place immediately after the races on the start-finish straight; the usual ceremonies will be cancelled. There will also be no obligatory champagne shower.

Sebastian Vettel is entering his final season as a Ferrari driver. © APA/afp / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Why is the second race officially the “Grand Prix of Styria”? Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz and ex-racing driver Helmut Marko, who played a key role as an intermediary between the Spielberg project, Formula 1 and the Austrian authorities, obtained this designation with Formula 1 officials. The state of Styria did not pay any money for this. Since there are two races in Spielberg, the second had to be given a different name than the first.

What's next after Spielberg? Immediately afterwards, the Formula 1 entourage moves by motorway to Budapest, where the third round of the World Championship season will take place a week later. This “triple header” is an immense challenge for those responsible for logistics at the racing teams.

How many races will there be this year? Formula 1 bosses are aiming for at least 15 Grands Prix. This would mean that the contractual obligations would be fulfilled and the majority of the agreed amounts would flow from TV partners and sponsors. For the time being, only the first eight World Cup races in Europe were communicated. But even after that, Formula 1 mainly has Europe in its sights if the pandemic situation remains under control. Mugello and Imola in Italy, the Hockenheimring in Germany and Portimao in Portugal are being discussed as locations. According to Red Bull consultant Marko, outside of Europe only the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai has taken place so far. Further dates will be announced in July.

Will Spielberg remain on the Formula 1 calendar after this season? It can be assumed that the seven-year Formula 1 contract with Mateschitz, which expires this year, will be extended. Mateschitz, who also has two teams, a race track and a Grand Prix, is also said to be interested in TV rights from 2021. In (post-)Corona times, Formula 1 has to roll out the red carpet to every organizer who is willing to spend money and is currently largely waiving the high entry fees for races without spectators. Red Bull, on the other hand, is generating invaluable advertising this year with its even larger showcase. The announcement of an extension of the partnership may take place during the two weeks in Spielberg.

Who starts the season as the favorite? Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are the measure of all things. The world champion can equal Michael Schumacher's record with his seventh title this year. The Silver Arrows could set a new record with their seventh team World Cup in a row. As in previous years, Red Bull and Ferrari are the challengers. Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari youngster Charles Leclerc (both 22) can become the youngest world champions in history this year. One of the two would thus overtake Leclerc's teammate Sebastian Vettel, who is leaving Ferrari after this season with an unknown destination.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Questions and answers before the two Austrian races

The opening double of Formula 1 in Spielberg is historic in many respects; there have never been races under such conditions before. The most important questions and answers before the first two events in Corona operations.

Suggestions

Comments (0)