Formula 1 could be preparing to hold four races in just 17 days to kick-start the 2020 season.
It’s well known by now that the sport is keen to push ahead with the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg on its pre-scheduled date on July 5, this after the government said they wouldn’t block a closed-door event.
Talks then took place last week between F1 bosses, teams and the FIA to discuss what would be needed for the race to go ahead, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealing details over the weekend.
“A catalogue of measures is now being drawn up under which conditions a Grand Prix without an audience, a so-called ghost race, could take place,” he told Der Standard.
“We are hopeful. The signs indicate that the chances are very high.
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“The focus will be on the digital, on television broadcasting. It would be the first major international event to take place.
“The most likely thing is that everyone who comes to this event will have to pass a [coronavirus] test.”
Marko also talked up the likelihood of the Red Bull Ring hosting two races, claiming they would be individual Grands Prix across just five days, with the first on Saturday/Sunday and the second on Tuesday/Wednesday evening.
“That’s the most likely thing right now,” he added.
It would make sense then that the British GP could follow a similar format just two weeks later, and Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle is willing to do all he can to help F1 go racing.
“We have been asked could we hold a race or two and could they be behind closed doors,” he told the Guardian newspaper.
“The answer is absolutely, we are open to looking into anything and everything.
“I have complete confidence in our ability to put on these events. We have a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge, we can turn that on definitely,” Pringle added.
Providing no other measures could block the plan, like Motorsport UK extending the current ban on race events, that means the original British GP would take place on July 19, with a second race on July 22.
The idea of holding midweek races in the evening is a much more plausible idea without the need to consider fans and in fact, TV audiences could actually be higher taking place at primetime in Europe.
The only requirement would be to have the race start still four hours before sunset, as per the regulations, but that could be as late as 6pm given the long daylight hours in the summer.
There is also the financial fallout for circuits like Silverstone in hosting F1 without fans if race fees remain at the usual price, but an arrangement with Liberty Media would likely be reached to accommodate it.