Szafnauer predicts an 'interesting few months' for Formula 1

The 2020 Formula 1 season will begin on July 5 with the Austrian Grand Prix, and Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer expects it to feel strange to 'head to a racetrack after such a long time away'.

When the season begins, teams will be subjected to a non-stop roller-coaster of eight races in just ten weekends.

"It’s going to be an intense few months for us all," said Szafnaurer. "But a great deal of thought has gone into this calendar from all relevant stakeholders – including the teams, Formula 1, the FIA, the circuit owners and so on.

"We’re all in agreement that the proposed plan is manageable and, knowing what I know of our team, they’ll relish the challenge. At the end of the day, we’re all racers. This is our passion, and we’re excited to get back to it."

The break between the chequered flag falling in Abu Dhabi and lights out in Austria will total 217-days, the longest break between seasons since the 1965 and '66 campaigns, a break which totalled 211-days.

As well as getting used to the race track environment once again, teams will need to adapt to strict social distancing protocols and subject themselves to regular Covid-19 testing to ensure the safety of all personnel.

He added: "I think it’s going to feel strange for all of us to be getting on an aeroplane, flying to a different country and heading to a racetrack after such a long time away.

"The setup when we get to the paddock will feel very different too initially, I’m sure – but just as we’ve all adapted to this new normality at home, I’m confident we’ll do so on the road.

"The processes and procedures we’ve implemented to keep everybody safe at the factory will apply just as stringently, if not more so, at the racetrack, so we’re in the best shape we can be."

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