Paris
Formula One hopes to finally start the season with a double-header in the naturally isolated environment around the venue for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Despite the first 10 races having been canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the targeted start date is July 5 in Austria. F1 still envisages holding 15 to 18 of the 22 scheduled Grands Prix.
One way to make up for lost time is having consecutive weekends on one circuit, like the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. F1 manager director of motorsports Ross Brawn says this is a ‘’real consideration’’ so long as iron-tight safety regulations are met.
‘’One of the logistical challenges is getting everyone tested and cleared to enter the racing environment,’’ he told an official F1 podcast. ‘’We can contain everyone within that environment, and therefore once we are there it is appealing to have another race the following week.’’ The Red Bull Ring’s location in the Styrian mountains makes it naturally isolated.—AP
