FIA

FIA working to ensure F1 continues as Covid lockdowns return

Covid-19 is again taking a stranglehold across Europe

Ian Parkes & Will Gray

Tuesday 3 November 2020 15:29

The FIA has confirmed it is continuing to work with the governments and promoters of race destinations to ensure the sport is not affected by the latest spate of Covid-19 lockdowns being implemented around the world.

After the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March was cancelled as the global pandemic took hold, the sport then hit pause until July when it recommenced with a heavily revised calendar of races.

After 13 grands prix, just four more remain – one in Turkey and three in the Middle East – with the FIA determined to push on and ensure all the required levels of safety are present to enable the season to be completed on schedule.

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At present, numerous countries across Europe are again implementing lockdowns, with the latest in England to commence from November 5, although it is understood the seven teams based in the country will be able to participate as normal.

“The FIA, F1 will continue as we have done since we’ve started looking at all this and developing the return to motorsport protocols and guidelines that sit around it,” said FIA race director Michael Masi.

“We will continue to work with each of the governments, promoters, the ASNs and all of the stakeholders in ensuring that primarily we provide a safe environment for everyone involved.“

The sport’s governing body has implemented strict protocols for all those attending races, with testing required prior to departure, just before entry to the paddock, and again on Saturday.

Despite the careful approach, there have still been a number of positive cases, with seven at Racing Point including drivers Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll and the team’s owner Lawrence Stroll.

Mercedes is another to have returned positive cases, although Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has said there is no reason for venues to fear F1’s presence.

“We’ve been travelling from country to country, we’ve kept in our bubbles,” he said. “I don’t think we are providing a risk for any country we are visiting because we are the safest group of people out there.”

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