New 2020 F1 podium procedure debuts in F3
New 2020 F1 podium procedure debuts in F3
The season-opening Formula 3 race demonstrated what Formula 1 fans can expect to see from the new-look podium ceremony.
Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, the FIA had released a document of Covid-safe working practices, which included details on how to safely host the top three on the podium.
However, with the traditional podium and driver waiting room proving impossible to correctly social distance, the look and feel of the ceremonial procedure had remained unknown.
Prema driver Oscar Piastri took victory from team-mate Logan Sargeant and Campos driver Alexander Peroni.
The three pulled into parc fermé as usual but the usual hoards of mechanics were nowhere to be seen. With social distancing in place, images of drivers leaping into the arms to the team will not be seen in 2020.
After being weighed, drivers moved into the garage directly beside parc fermé, where three tables - clearly labelled one, two and three - were laid out.
Hats, towels, water and all the usual items awaited the leading trio, so while distanced, there was a certain level of normality.
'Normal' is also an apt way to describe the following podium ceremony itself.
Although the steps of the podium were spread out to obey the two-metre distancing rules, the anthems played, the trophies were handed out, and the champagne sprayed.
Somewhat amusingly, Peroni did find one problem in that the face masks, which were worn by every member of personnel involved in the ceremony, prevented him from taking a glug of champagne.
Ahead of the weekend, questions had been raised as to who the ceremonies were for and if there was any point to them without fans being present.
Granted, there was a different feel to the procedure without the usual air horns, cheering and, especially for teams, the immediate outpouring of emotion with the driver, but, for the most part, it worked.
Before you go...
Formula 1 reports zero positive Covid tests
Button sceptical over Ferrari's pandemic excuse for axing Vettel
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Haas announce Hulkenberg EXIT as F1 star's new team confirmed
- 3 hours ago
F1 champion claims Drive to Survive success was 'very lucky'
- 1 hour ago
F1 franchise welcomes return of INCREDIBLE feature
- 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Red Bull star set to QUIT team as F1 driver role CONFIRMED for 2025
- 2 hours ago
F1 team set to axe BOTH star drivers
- 3 hours ago
Red Bull to lose F1 MVP as true cost of Horner saga hits
- Today 09:57
Related news
Norris reveals CHEEKY Alonso text after Austrian Grand Prix chaos
Newey reveals Red Bull could not stop Verstappen from taking POINTLESS risk
Russell insists Hamilton is still STRUGGLING with W14
How Austria track limits SHAMBLES shows FIA's flaws
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860