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F1 prepares the largest bunker to overcome the Spanish GP

2020-08-12T07:16:15.390Z


The FIA ​​is confident in its bubble and the Spanish GP was never in danger in Montmeló even if the data in Catalonia worsened in July. It will be F1's 50th visit to the country.


The Formula 1 bubble has been a success in Austria, Hungary and Great Britain, with only three positive cases of Covid-19 (two at the Hungaroring plus Sergio Pérez) but none inside the paddock after nearly 20,000 PCR tests performed to personnel, teams and drivers. The challenge was enormous but now they face the biggest obstacle, the Spanish GP in Montmeló. The concern of the FIA ​​was palpable in recent weeks with the rise in infections in Catalonia and, more particularly, in the metropolitan area of ​​Barcelona that encompasses the Catalan circuit. But the confidence in the authorities was maximum and the race was never in doubt. They located hotels in areas where the impact of the virus was controlled and continued with the plan in place for the race this Sunday.

The protocol is reviewed and updated after each grand prize, it is not toughened, although on this occasion the championship's anti-coronavirus officials strongly recommend avoiding areas where exceptional voluntary confinement measures have been taken (Barcelona city and vicinity), in addition to do not travel by public transport. AS has had access to the document where they also ask that all meals be made in the circuit or in the accommodation, and they emphasize that the mask is mandatory in the country both in open spaces and in closed spaces. It is a characteristic that does not apply in England and that surprised many members of the paddock outside of Silverstone, in restaurants or hotels. According to the teams, there is no concern and they will maintain their routines, which are restrictive in any event to minimize risks. Several pilots rent luxurious motorhomes so as not to leave the track during the four days. Personnel later returning to Great Britain (seven manufacturers are based there) are exempt from quarantine.

During July the data in the Catalonia region worsened and the number of daily positives exceeded one hundred in the previous days. In the United Kingdom the number of infections is lower, although the number of deaths has never ceased to be around 80 every day. In Formula 1, nine races have already been suspended or postponed this season between May and June and for the championship it would have been very negative to cancel events again, because it would set a precedent on this revised European calendar. They trust the protocols and the severe bubble, which separates the teams to prevent contact between them, forces social distance and tests all members at least every five days. The biggest risk may be in the heterogeneous support categories, such as the F2, the F3 and the Porsche Supercup.

The 50th GP of Spain, without public


It will be the 50th GP of Spain, the first was held in 1951 so next year will be the 70th birthday, which is now celebrating the World Cup. It was distributed between Pedralbes, Montjuic, Jarama and Jerez, but the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the home of this test and will organize its 30th edition, uninterrupted since 1991. There will be no public in the stands. The Montmeló track renewed the award of the grand prize for one year, although it is a trend in the championship that circuits that host races without spectators have a gap in the 2021 calendar. In addition, in the organizational sphere, the Circuit appointed a new president , María Teixidor; and a new director, Josep Lluís Santamaría, who take over from Vicenç Aguilera and Joan Fontseré, respectively.

Source: elparis

All tech articles on 2020-08-12

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