F1: Austria ban large scale events until August 31, but racing behind closed doors remains a possibility

Austrian Grand Prix

Austria ban large scale events until August 31, but racing behind closed doors remains a possibility

"Certain circuits are talking about crowdless events"

Sam Hall

Friday 17 April 2020 14:00 Updated: 12:01

The Austrian government have followed the lead of Germany and Belgium in banning large public gatherings until the end of August, despite beginning to ease back on other restrictions. A behind closed doors Austrian Grand Prix in July is still under consideration.

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Vodcast, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said that the Red Bull Ring would be ready should Formula 1 be given the green light to race, even if it is behind closed doors.

“The Red Bull Ring, literally, you can turn the lights on there<" said Horner. "It’s a ready made facility. It can be ready in a very short period of time to fit the FIA’s criteria, so the prospect of being able to run a race behind closed doors is absolutely feasible and, as sanctions start to get lifted and things start to hopefully loosen up as we start to hopefully come out of this crisis, how willing are people going to be wanting to be to go and sit in a crowd of 150,000 people?

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“I think there is going to be a staged route back into full on grands prix, and certain circuits are talking about crowdless events, potentially just focussing on TV events for now, with limited numbers of people, limited operative staff there, as a way to get the championship going."

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The English Football League chairman Rick Parry sent an open letter to fans on Friday, admitting that it is unlikely that fans will be allowed into stadiums for quite some time after fixtures resume.

Individual footballers and managers have also said that they will not compete until all involved has been tested for coronavirus, but equally have insisted that all frontline workers be tested first, something that will need to be considered by Formula 1 officials before allowing the season to commence.

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“Football and other sports are also considering the same route and of course, Formula 1, there is more distance between the competitors," continued Horner. 2They’ve got helmets on so there is that natural distancing as well.

“It’s something that Austria and Red Bull are looking at, but of course they have to work with the local authorities and the government, so at the moment it is just under discussion.”

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