Formula 1 needs to provide "a reason why we are not dangerous"

Formula 1

F1 needs to provide "a reason why we are not dangerous"

It is hoped the season will get going in Austria in early July

Ian Parkes

Sunday 26 April 2020 13:21 Updated: 18:02

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes Formula 1 has a responsibility to prove it is "not dangerous" before it can launch the season.

Following the cancellation or postponement of the opening nine races due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is a push at present for the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5 to become the season opener.

If given the green light, it will take place behind closed doors and could potentially even feature as a double-header, with the British GP to follow suit and in similar circumstances a fortnight later.

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"It's important to have a positive outlook, a light at the end of the tunnel," said Steiner, speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Vodcast.

"I can hope - I cannot confirm anything - that the Austrian government gives us the go-ahead, and we come up with good enough ideas that we protect the people in Austria and ourselves, that we don't get it, that we don't spread it. We are working hard on it."

It is understood the logistics for such events, to ensure those present at the circuits are safe - and not just those representing the teams, but also the likes of marshals, medical and security staff - are still being finalised.

Meetings are ongoing to determine, according to Steiner, "how many people we can leave at home to work because the fewer people you have, the less risk you carry, so we are trying to do a good job there, being responsible".

There are still likely to be around 1,000 personnel on-site at the Red Bull Ring and at Silverstone, and the risks are obvious.

He added: "We are really trying to think it through so we can go racing.

"We need to give them a reason why we are not dangerous - dangerous by not spreading the disease, obviously. We need to help with that, and we hope we can go racing again in July.

"I've read that Austria is doing well, not spreading any more, but they don't want us in there to get it going again."