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Despite the Corona virus, Austria still hopes to organize Formula 1 races in July. According to Red Bulls Motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, all official requirements could already be met. In fact, “two races are planned, each on Sunday, July 5 and July 12,” Marko told radio station Ö3 on Friday. Only a second wave of infection can prevent this.
Formula 1 will likely be able to finish its current crown lockout by the end of May. At Spielberg, people have been working hard on a concept for a long time to be able to hold “ghost races” at the Red Bull Ring in early July, with the exception of spectators and compliance with all regulations. According to Marko, a concept had been developed together with the organizers of Formula 1, which would mean that the required group comprised less than 2,000 people.
According to information from Ö3, fans and journalists are not allowed in races. All team members must test negative. “It is organized in England or by the teams they already reach with the appropriate test certificate,” Marko said on the radio. According to Marko, it only takes three weeks of ring time. Therefore, you may not know until very late whether Formula 1 races will take place in Austria this year or not.
Helmut Mark on the start of Spielberg: “The chances are very high”
The original Austrian Grand Prix was slated for July 5 as the eleventh race of the season. Nine of the ten races on the calendar that preceded it have already been postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The situation with the race at Le Castellet (June 28), which would currently be the start of the World Cup, is still open. Events with a large audience, according to President Emmanuel Macron in France, are only conceivable again in mid-July, which has already led to the cancellation of the Tour de France (which would have started on June 27).
Therefore, ghost races and two World Cup races in succession are now being considered in the same place. The premiere of a double event could take place in Spielberg. Marko is in a good mood because there will be more races later. “There are talks with other European organizers,” said Styria, 76. He had already described the chances of a start at Spielberg as “very high” last week. Even without a viewer on the road, the advertising value is enormous due to a worldwide television broadcast.
Already in a detailed inspection: “Free ring of May 1” possible?
The Red Bull Ring and Spielberg project hotels and restaurants have also been exposed to regulatory requirements for some time due to Corona. Now there is a limited operation again, the fan store is also open again. The website says: “Free ring from May 1”.
Regarding Formula 1 plans, however, they were reluctant on Friday. “We are currently still at the Red Bull Ring in the detailed verification regarding the implementation and implementation of the mentioned dates,” he said in a statement to the APA. They are also in close coordination with politicians and Liberty Media, “on whose side we will need adequate support for implementation.” From today’s perspective, I couldn’t say more about it.
Politics is also not averse to ghost races
It was also confirmed that crown tests were recently conducted for employees on the route. “We are attentive to current developments related to the corona virus issue. For the sake of our employees’ health, which is our top priority, so-called antibody tests were offered on a voluntary basis.” However, there is no direct connection between these tests and any major event.
From the office of the Styrian governor Hermann Schützenhöfer (ÖVP), in turn, on Friday, when APA asked, the race at Spielberg was said to continue, provided infection numbers were allowed. Ultimately, the state of Styria is holding talks with those responsible and every effort is being made to ensure that it succeeds. “But ultimately it is not in our hands,” he emphasized. But it would be nice “if we could at least send the world an exciting Grand Prix and the beautiful pictures of the Mur Valley on television,” the governor had recently said.
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