We are entering a second phase in managing the crisis caused by Covid-19: after being forced into postponements or cancellations, organizers now realize that if they want to keep their event, they will have to hold it without spectators. This deprives them of their primary source of income but allows Liberty Media and the teams to benefit from valuable television rights.<\/p>\n
The first to officially announce it were the leaders of Silverstone on Monday. At the end of the week, it’s now the turn of the Hungarian Grand Prix promoters to publicly declare the same decision: \u00ab The Hungarian government’s decision to ban events of more than 500 people until August 15 has a direct impact on the Hungarian Grand Prix. We have always emphasized our willingness to work towards a safe solution that would allow us to welcome the entire Formula 1 family to the Hungaroring in August, but it is now evident that if a Formula 1 race were to take place in Hungary, it could only be held behind closed doors. \u00bb<\/p>\n
The trend is therefore that the first races of the season, which will take place on the European continent, could all be without spectators. Ross Brawn has confirmed that it is increasingly likely that it could indeed start in Austria, which offers an ideal geographical situation to avoid contact with the local population: \u00ab One of the logistical challenges is to test everyone and allow them to enter the racing environment. Once that is done, it is very tempting to keep everyone in this environment, inside this biosphere that we want to create, for another race. \u00bb<\/p>\n
Since traveling to the middle of the Austrian Alps, it makes sense to have two races there to avoid risky travels. Austria perfectly meets these criteria. There is a local airport right next to the circuit where people can send charter planes. It’s not too close to a big city. There are superb infrastructures: there won’t be motorhomes, but the circuit has excellent catering facilities. We can keep everyone in this environment, so it’s tempting to organize another race there the following week.<\/p>\n
It remains to be seen what the other steps will be on the European continent as restrictions around events still largely dominate in various countries, prompting many leagues to announce the end of the season.<\/p>\n