The tunnel in Spielberg was given a new coat of paint. © APA / INGRID KORNBERGER
While the population in some countries only has to live with small restrictions after several waves of relaxation, Formula 1 will be faced with an avalanche of regulations next week in Spielberg.
28. June 2020
There is a safety and health concept of the organizer as well as the Covid 19 code of the automobile world association (FIA). An overview of the basic rules for the “Ghost Grand Prix”:
All drivers must give their consent
All participants (drivers, team members, Formula 1 officials, media representatives etc.) must sign their consent in advance to the contents of the FIA’s Covid 19 code. This is binding on the Red Bull Ring and even beyond, but legally, the FIA security guidelines and laws have more weight. The Covid-19 delegate appointed by the FIA is responsible for compliance. This is the Spaniard Pau Mota, the head of medicine of the world association.
Negative test that must not be older than 96 hours
Before arrival, all participants must be declared by their organization “Fit to Attend”. This means that their participation does not pose a health risk for themselves or for others with regard to Covid-19 disease. In order for someone to be fit enough, a negative test for the coronavirus must be available, which must not be older than 96 hours . The “Fit to Attend” declaration must be sent to the FIA at least 24 hours before it arrives at the site.
Another important form is the certificate, in which a doctor certifies that a negative test for SARS-CoV-2 has been submitted. Participants must present the certificate when they arrive at the Red Bull Ring. Additional tests are required every five days during the Grand Prix weekend.
Participants: distinction between profile 1 and 2
The main distinction is between “Profile 1” and “Profile 2” participants. Profile 1 is all people who mainly work in places with a higher interaction density, e.g. in the pit lane, in the paddock or in the media center. Stricter measures apply to them over the entire weekend than to Profile 2 participants who are more likely to be in places around the ring where there are few people.
All Profile 1 participants are grouped together with the other members of their organization (e.g. an F1 team, the race management). If possible, the members should arrive together and then stay together in their free time. No social distancing has to be practiced within the groups, but contact with members of other groups or the local population must be kept to an absolute minimum.
It is recommended that the groups also form subgroups. “In the team bubble, which is inside the Formula 1 bubble, we will make even more bubbles,” said Ferrari sports director Laurent Mekies. At Scuderia, the cars of pilots Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel will be given such bubbles, and within them there will be smaller bubbles – for example, one for box mechanics, one for the power unit department.
Safety distance to people outside of the own group
All participants must adhere to the applicable hygiene measures at the Red Bull Ring. A distance of min. two meters – the only exception is when this is not possible or sensible for safety reasons. Mostly, mouth-nose protection should be worn, and pedestrian guidance systems and floor markings must also be observed.
Test station 1 right in front of the main entrance to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. © APA / INGRID KORNBERGER
Tracing app or list of contacts outside the group
To keep track of contacts, there is a contact tracing app that can be used on a voluntary basis. If you decide against this, you have to keep a complete list with the names of the people outside your own group with whom you had closer contact, contrary to the guidelines. As an increased precautionary measure in Austria, all participants – including app users – are advised to keep this list in writing.
Author: apa / dl
–
