FIA president Jean Todt says the governing body hopes to learn from Formula 1 as they try and get motorsport running again post-coronavirus.
All major motorsport series have been on hold now for almost two months due to Covid-19, with the WRC Rally of Mexico the last major event to take place in mid-March.
Now though, F1 is trying to get their 2020 championship underway in July, with potentially back-to-back double-headers in Austria and Britain.
“One of the logistical challenges is getting everyone tested and cleared to enter the paddock, enter the racing environment,” F1 motorsport director Ross Brawn explained.
“Once we do that, it’s very attractive to keep everyone in that environment, within that biosphere that we want to create, for another race.”
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While the loosening of restrictions is one reason why the event in Spielberg is more feasible, the Briton also pointed at the ability to better contain F1 than at most other circuits.
“It has a local airport right next to the circuit, where people can charter planes into,” said Brawn.
“It’s not too close to a metropolis. It has a great infrastructure around it.
“For instance, there will be no motorhomes, but there will be a full catering facility laid on that the circuit has.
“So we can basically contain everyone within that environment and therefore once we are there it is appealing to have another race the following week.”
Should F1’s plan be successful then, the FIA can look to adopt similar measures elsewhere.
“Regarding our championships, our aim is to resume them as soon as possible while protecting the health of the people involved in their organisation, and in keeping with the instructions of the competent authorities,” Todt explained, speaking to member clubs via video this week.
“In Formula 1, we hope to be able to start the season this summer, with a first Grand Prix in Austria on the weekend of July 3-5.
“We will be able to share the learnings and processes to run motorsport under Covid-19 restrictions with all of you in order to restart all our competitions and grassroots motorsport as quickly as possible.
“In parallel, the discussions around the financial sustainability of our motorsport championships will continue to be held with our promoters, the manufacturers and teams in regular meetings.”
But while the financial health of F1, Formula E and others is important, Todt also noted the governing body isn’t immune to the fallout.
“Of course, the FIA is also suffering the consequences of this pandemic, but it is working on various budgetary scenarios to better assess its impact and study how to overcome it in the best possible conditions,” he said.
“Our Federation is robust and will continue to invest and support its Clubs wherever it can.”
