Formula 1 is unlikely to repeat the last-minute cancellation of a Grand Prix as seen in Australia if another Covid-19 case emerged.
Currently, the sport is busy putting together what they hope to be a 15-18 race schedule beginning with closed-door races in Europe from July before heading to Asia, the Americas and finally the Middle East.
This comes after the failed attempt to start the championship as originally planned back in Australia in March, when a positive coronavirus test for a McLaren employee on the Thursday led to its eventual cancellation on Friday morning.
“The situation has evolved from Australia,” Professor Gérard Saillant, head of the FIA’s medical commission told L’Equipe.
“We have provided a rapid response device to confirm the diagnosis, isolate and test people who have been in contact with a positive case.
“For me, the Grand Prix would not be cancelled. It is as if you were telling me that the metro is closed because a traveller has been positively diagnosed there.”
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This week, F1 motorsport director Ross Brawn revealed that, in addition to all personnel having to confirm negative tests before being allowed entry to the paddock, teams would be subject to “bubble isolation” with further tests taking place ever two days.
Saillant explained, however, measures in each country could be slightly different.
“What will happen in Austria may be different from what will happen in Germany or Hungary,” he said.
“Each country has different regulations, and the situation of the circuit, of the hotels, will also influence this confinement rule. If the track is in the countryside, things are different than if it is in a city.
“Singapore or Vietnam would have a completely different medical organisation if they had a Grand Prix to organise now. Already, the Singaporean government could force the entire paddock to be isolated for a fortnight before we can access the track.
“For Austria, it’s different. The country is emerging from the crisis which, at home, has been relatively moderate. In this safe country, the rule of the game would be to do something in the even safer paddock.”
F1 has also been warned against taking away testing kits that would be better off in areas still dealing with Covid-19, however, Saillant pointed to the increasing number of tests available, some now promising results within minutes.
“We have to limit the risks,” he continued.
“With a Grand Prix behind closed doors, there is no need for hospitality. Those present will be in a ventilated, unconfined space, and will have been selected.
“Within this ‘bubble’, we are working with the legal department to set up, on a voluntary basis, an app which would make it possible to know what contact was made, less than a metre away, with someone positive.”
F1 has been criticised by some, however, for trying to push ahead with the season while countries continue to deal with lockdown measures, etc.
However, Brawn defended the sport’s eagerness to get back on track.
“[There are] many reasons for wanting to start the season,” Brawn he the official F1 Nation podcast.
“One is obviously to excite the fans, who have all been frustrated by the delays. We’ve got a very exciting season in front of us, but it’s a very important livelihood for thousands of people, it’s another reason for trying to kick-start the season…
“I’m sure [the drivers] miss it and they will support these moves we’re making with the understanding it is done properly, there will be no risk taken and it will all be done in the correct way.”