Thursday could determine whether Formula 1 heads to Silverstone or Hockenheim for a double-header this summer.
Over the past month, the British Grand Prix venue has been determined to help F1 restart post-coronavirus and reached a deal with Liberty Media to hold two races on July 26 and August 2.
However, a spanner could be thrown in the works as talks are taking place over whether personnel will be exempt from a mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival in the UK from Austria.
“A 14-day quarantine would make it impossible to have a British Grand Prix this year,” an F1 spokesperson said on Tuesday.
“It has a major impact on literally tens of thousands of jobs linked to F1 and the supply chains. If all elite sport is to return to TV, then exemptions must be provided.
“We would be travelling back to the UK on F1-only occupied aircraft and all staff would be tested, making a quarantine totally unnecessary,” they added.
A decision on any exemption could come as early as Thursday and if it is not granted then Germany’s Hockenheimring is poised to assume the two Silverstone dates.
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The circuit was not initially part of the 2020 calendar but because of the better coronavirus situation in the country and the opportunity for a better financial deal than in normal circumstances, Hockenheim is confident they can step up to the plate.
“We are talking with F1, that’s correct. We have spoken about the idea of having a race without spectators here at the circuit,” CEO Jorn Teske told Reuters
“We already checked if this could be possible, from dates as well as the legal general point of view. For us, it is an option.
“What is really crucial for us is not to be pending now for months. We have to get our circuit booked and there is a high demand on track days… but Formula One is aware and understands our situation.”