PARIS — Formula One will lastly get underway with back-to-back races on the Austrian Grand Prix in July as a part of an eight-race European swing.
The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, will host races on July 5 and 12, governing physique FIA stated in an announcement on Tuesday.
The subsequent race might be in Hungary on July 19 adopted by consecutive races on the British GP at Silverstone on Aug. 2 and 9 after the British authorities exempted elite sports activities from an upcoming quarantine on international guests.
Further races are scheduled for Spain on Aug. 16 and Belgium on Aug. 30, with Italy finishing the European swing on Sept. 6.
“Over the past two months Formula One has been working closely with all partners, authorities, the FIA and the 10 teams to create a revised calendar that will allow a return to racing in a way that is safe,” the FIA stated. “Due to the continued fluidity of the COVID-19 state of affairs internationally, the main points of the broader calendar might be finalized within the coming weeks.”
There might be no spectators allowed to attend, though there could also be later within the 12 months if well being situations enable it.
“It is currently expected that the opening races will be closed events,” the FIA stated. “But it’s hoped followers might be ready to be part of occasions once more when it’s protected to accomplish that.”
Four races have been canceled this season due to the coronavirus pandemic — the season-opening Australian GP, the Monaco GP, the French GP and the Netherlands GP.
F1 stays hopeful of holding 15-18 of the scheduled 22 races by rearranging the six that have been postponed and ending the season in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in December.
Just as not too long ago as final month, there remained the likelihood that there can be no 2020 F1 season in any respect. Like many different collection, F1 drivers turned to digital racing to preserve sharp in the course of the shutdown.
“I want to thank every promoter and partner for their support and ongoing commitment to Formula One,” F1 chairman Chase Carey stated. “We know the return of Formula One will be a welcome boost to sports fans around the world.”
Red Bull staff principal Christian Horner is worked up about kicking off the season in Austria.
“We are pleased to be starting … at our home circuit. It has been a huge effort by all involved and the two events at the Red Bull Ring will be a blueprint for all other races to follow,” Horner stated.
“With the primary eight races of the calendar now confirmed we’ve got some optimistic momentum. As a race staff and racers, we’re excited to get going once more and placed on a present for our followers.”
The FIA and F1 are working collectively on a plan to have strict security measures in place on the races.
As properly as initially holding races with out followers, different measures might be used to restrict danger.
Any personnel attending a race might be examined for COVID-19 earlier than touring and will need to have a detrimental outcome. Regular testing will happen in the course of the race weekend.
There might be a major discount within the numbers of individuals attending from groups, officers and suppliers. Those attending should keep inside their very own working group and never work together with different teams.
Travel restrictions will see constitution flights used as a lot as potential and personal transfers between venues, inns and airports to forestall interplay with most of the people.
Social distancing measures might be noticed contained in the paddock for actions such because the nationwide anthem, the rostrum ceremony and media interviews.