F1 forming plan to stage races behind closed doors without fans as Silverstone could hold at least two grands prix

2020 season could finally get underway on 5 July in Austria if conditions are deemed acceptable, although there will still need to be a high-level attendance even if fans are locked out

Alan Baldwin
Friday 17 April 2020 07:57 BST
Comments
Coronavirus: How has sport been affected?

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Formula One could start the season behind locked gates and without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the glamour sport will likely have to slim down considerably to get the green light to go racing.

Across Europe, bans on mass gatherings and public events have been extended into July and August even as countries begin to emerge from the strict lockdowns that have put sporting activities on hold.

Formula One’s season remains stalled, with seven races postponed so far and organisers talking of a reduced calendar possibly running into January.

The BBC reported on Thursday, after team bosses held an online meeting, that the latest plan was to start behind closed doors in Austria on 5 July and then hold two races at Silverstone, a home venue for seven of the 10 teams.

Racefans.net suggested Silverstone could be on for three races in four weeks and on different layouts.

Formula One’s managing director Ross Brawn indicated earlier this month that radical measures were under consideration.

“We’re looking at the logistics of a closed race, how would we get the people there, how would we protect them, how would we make it safe, who would we allow into the paddock,” he said. “Every permutation is being discussed.”

Austria has said it would not be opposed to a race without spectators, if travel restrictions were lifted and other safeguards enacted.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said the Red Bull-owned Austrian circuit in Spielberg could be made ready at very short notice.

“The prospect of being able to run a race behind closed doors is absolutely feasible,” he told Sky Sports television.

“I think there is going to be a staged route back into full-on grands prix and there are certain circuits they are talking to about crowdless events, potentially just focusing on TV events for now with limited numbers of people.”

Formula One rules state that each of the 10 teams can have no more than 60 people “who are associated in any way with the operation of the cars” in the paddock.

There are then the Pirelli tyre fitters, FIA technicians, other key suppliers, Formula One employees, broadcasters and media as well as track and medical staff running into the hundreds.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner says the Red Bull Ring can be prepared at short notice (Getty)
Red Bull boss Christian Horner says the Red Bull Ring can be prepared at short notice (Getty) (Getty Images)

Broadcast personnel range from some 40-45 typically attending for Britain’s Sky Sports television to half that number for Sky Italia and as few as eight for Sky Germany.

“The operational personnel is pretty much defined by the regulations,” McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl told reporters on Wednesday.

“I don’t think it will be much different compared to normal race events because we simply need all the people in order to operate the cars, to service them during the weekend and to race them and do the pitstops.”

Formula One sources said detailed conversations were ongoing with teams to bring the numbers down to bare bones, with media access likely to be restricted to ensure safe spacing. Team marketing and sponsors would have to stay away.

How feasible a just-for-television ‘ghost race’ would be depends also on interpretation.

“Even without spectators we would have a lot of people on site to organise the event,” said Belgian Grand Prix commercial director Stijn de Boever, whose country on Wednesday banned mass gatherings until the end of August.

“What is a mass event? Does that mean 500, 3,000 or 5,000 people?”

Formula One’s hope is that getting some races done, even without a trackside audience, opens up the chance of a proper championship if Asian and Middle Eastern races can go ahead later in the year.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in