Austrian Grand Prix given the green light by government officials

Austrian Grand Prix

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Austrian Grand Prix given the green light by government officials

The 2020 season is good to go on July 5

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Saturday 30 May 2020 11:02 Updated: 11:26

Government officials have approved plans to hold two Formula 1 Grands Prix at the Red Bull Ring.

GPFans sources confirmed on Saturday morning that the Austrian Grand Prix has been given the all clear. This means that the 2020 Formula 1 season will begin on July 5 in Spielberg, with a second race following seven days later at the same venue.

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast at the beginning of May, Formula 1 managing director motorsports Ross Brawn spoke of a plan to introduce a 'biosphere', with minimal travel in or out of the venue.

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“One of the logistical challenges is getting everyone tested and cleared to enter the paddock and enter the racing environment, and I think once we do that, it’s very attractive to keep everyone in that environment, within that kind of biosphere that we want to create for another race," said Brawn. "It’s also pretty challenging to find the right sort of races early on where we can control the environment well enough.

“Austria fits that bill very well. It’s got a local airport right next to the circuit, where people can charter planes into. It’s not too close to a metropolis, it has a great infrastructure around it. There will be no motorhomes, but there will be full catering facility laid on that the circuit has. We can basically contain everyone within that environment. Therefore, once we’re there, it’s appealing to have another race the following week.”

The ambition remains to hold the Hungarian Grand Prix as round three, followed by two events in the UK. Prime minister Boris Johnson has reportedly urged members of parliament to grant Formula 1 an exemption from the 14-day quarantine laws that come into force from June 8 for all international arrivals, but for now, the British Grand Prix remains in doubt.

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