The Future of Formula One (F1) Races Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

The Formula One fans are sad to know that a number of faces are now postponed, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to prevail. This decision is taken as per the safety of the fans and the F1 community. The information on the F1 website says that they intend to initiate their annual season any time during this summer as they are committed to entertain their fans with a memorable season.

But the founder, Alejandro Agag is doubtful that electric series, as well as Formula One only, have a 50-50 chance of taking place as the COVID-19 pandemic is nowhere seen to be controlled. He also shared that it is still unclear on when would the risk of contracting coronavirus would be controlled. Considering the lockdown situation in major parts of the world, it is hard to predict that when these restrictions would ease.

Also read- How To Order Food or Get Takeaway Safely During COVID-19 Pandemic 

He also shared that Formula One bosses that had plans to initiate this year’s season but without the spectators that were to take place at Red Bull Ring (Austria) in July much before the UK are doing right.

He said;  “We are going to try the same thing. We are going to try to put some races behind closed doors,” during his Zoom interview with Reuters.

He also said that; “I guess it’s a 50-50 chance. The same for us,” while answering whether the F1 raced would be held this year or not.

Formula E is at an advantage for having small unit teams and they control all their cars. All these cars are at present safe at Valencia (Spain) ever since the last race of Morocco completed at the end of February 2020. It is still a few races behind to get its authentic status of a championship which was soon to happen after this summer’s races.

Agag said that he and his team are trying to conduct two or three races in a closed setup but it is too early to say when would it take place. Probably it is possible in August but still, it is not confirmed.

He also said in his interview that more than 90% of these races would take place in Europe. But they are still over-looking the possibilities and there is no final decision made yet.

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As per Agag’s calculation, the Formula E requires some 950 to 970 people to conduct a race that includes their staff members and the broadcast team. This is an ideal case because it is under the 1000 limit which many countries have imposed on such events.

However, other hurdles still remain there. There is uncertainty if the borders would open or not. There is no way to tell when would this quarantine period end. And it is necessary to get a hand on all this information before planning such an event like Formula One, he added.

So he said that he would try to make it happen but is not sure if it would happen or not. The last two rounds of the Formula E races were to take place in New York and London. But the venues that were decided for these races are currently serving as temporary hospitals for the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Agag believes that the races could take place in the UK while there are some tracks that might help. He mentioned Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Donington Park as three potential venues for this purpose.

As the uncertainty of the Formula 1 race remains unclear, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Agag is planning another adventure called that would be launched in 2021. Last week, he announced that eight teams would be a part of it including male and female racing drivers.

 

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