CHRISTIAN HORNER says Formula One has pencilled in the date for the start of the season – starting at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing boss believes that announcing a proposed date of July 5 could act as a shot in the arm for the sport.
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Red Bull boss Christian Horner says F1 chiefs have pencilled in July 5 as a possible start date for the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
F1 chiefs have been desperate to get the season underway after they cancelled the Australian GP in March.
They have been denied in their attempts to host the French GP due to an extension in the government lockdown, while the British GP could now face a similar block.
However, a race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is looking increasingly encouraging after gaining plenty of local support in Austria.
Horner said: “We are hopeful and it would be a great start for the championship if it is deemed safe to do so. I know Red Bull are doing all they can to facilitate the race.
“If the medical authorities and government agree, then it would give us a starting point that others could follow on from.
“Obviously a lot of research has gone on into how a race could be hosted without fans and the minimum amount of people in attendance.
“Procedures would be put in place, including testing with team numbers reduced to around 80 people.
“But it is always important to have a target, even in times of uncertainty like these. If you have no target in life, then things just drift.
“The global crisis is bigger than our sport, but if you put a marker in the sand and say, July 5th is the starting point, if things change and get worse, they can always be changed.
“At this point in time and where we sit, it is a positive target for the sport to have and if it needs to alter that, then there is plenty of time in which to do so.
“It is all set up and ready to go. It is just a case of flicking the switch. It is a bespoke facility all geared up for F1.
“I think the Red Bull Ring have the ability to react quicker than any other circuit in the world.”
F1 could look at chartering flights for teams to fly direct to Zeltweg Air Base, just a five-minute drive to the Red Bull Ring.
Extra measures could include testing of all people coming into the circuit while teams would all be kept in separate hotels from each other.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
