Formula One is reportedly in talks with the British government on how to get around a planned mandatory 14-day self-isolation for international arrivals in order to stage planned races there in July.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday announced the decision to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus would be implemented soon, with Britain one of countries hardest hit by the pandemic.
F1 wants to open the season with back-back races behind closed doors in Austria on July 5 and 12, and then aims to stage two races at the British course of Silverstone on the following two Sundays, July 19 and 26.
British reports said F1 wants to convince state officials that its own set-up is safe to be exempted, with frequent testing of all staff and rigid isolation measures including keeping teams completely apart everywhere during race weekends.
“We will wait to see the details and are in discussion with government regarding our plans to restart racing safely,” Autosport quoted an F1 spokesperson as saying.
Talks are expected to continue during the week when details of the government plans, including from when they apply, emerge.
Franz Tost, the team principal of Alpha Tauri (formerly Toro Rosso) meanwhile told Monday’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung in Germany that they are preparing to have two crews in order to be operational should one of them have to go into isolation after positive tests for COVID-19.
“We are preparing to have a replacement group which we can bring to the track … in order to make sure we can be on the starting grid,” Tost said.
Tost also said he believes the races in Austria will go ahead.
The first 10 of originally 22 season races have been postponed or cancelled but F1 bosses aim to stage a season with 15 to 18 races.