Antonio Giovinazzi admits having a triple-header of Formula 1 races after a long break would be “really tough” for drivers.
Last week, F1 motorsport boss Ross Brawn said the season could start with six races in seven weeks from July, as Liberty Media tries to reschedule a calendar that has been decimated by the coronavirus.
However, following what would be the longest gap between races in F1 history at seven months, Giovinazzi explained some drivers might struggle to cope with a hectic schedule.
“I think it will be completely difficult,” he told Sky Sports.
“If I think about a winter break and we come back to Barcelona [for testing] after two months, I will say it is really difficult. After the first day you are completely destroyed, your neck is completely destroyed.
Also Read:
- Dutch GP suggests midweek F1 races, says event without fans ‘unthinkable’
- F1 race promoters ‘better off cancelling’ if Liberty doesn’t lower fees
- Villeneuve: Cancel the 2020 F1 championship and hold ‘Grand Slam’ races
“We will have more than two months, maybe three months [off]. When we come back, straight away we will feel all bad, I’m sure, and maybe three weeks in a row will be really, really tough.
“It will be the same for everyone, but we need to try our best to be fit enough. This is the time to make sure we can drive but it will not be easy, I’m sure.”
As part of Liberty Media’s plan, some early races would take place behind closed doors and the Italian has backed the idea.
“For sure it will be really different because the people that come to support us provide an extra boost for every driver,” Giovinazzi told the British broadcaster.
“But now, the main thing is to race in a safe mode and this is one of them, to have no people at the track.
“Of course they will support us on the sofa. When this virus finally goes out, then people can support us more than they did before.
“As soon as we start, it will be good to start without people because it’s a safe way we can race.”
Some are still calling for the full cancellation of the 2020 season, however, including former FIA president Max Mosley.
“The situation risks getting worse if we wait,” he said in an interview with Germany’s DPA news agency.
“There’s no guarantee that we’ll be able to race again in July, it’s very uncertain. If we cancel the season now it will be clearer for the teams and Grand Prix organisers to take action and plan for the future.
“As long as we don’t know what the pandemic is going to do from a global perspective, it is impossible to make rational plans for Formula 1.”