LONDON (Reuters) – McLaren pulled out of the doomed Australian Formula 1 season opener in March when an employee tested positive for COVID-19. However, team boss Andreas Seidl is confident that the second attempt this weekend in Austria will be completely different.
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 – Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne Grand Prix, Melbourne, Australia – March 13, 2020 General view of the McLaren garage after they announced they would withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix after a team member tested positive for Coronavirus REUTERS was tested / Edgar Su / file photo
The March 15 race in Melbourne was canceled before a wheel turned and Formula One had to wait more than 100 days for another opportunity to race after the countries were locked.
The start on Sunday at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is the last start to a Formula 1 season and the first in Austria.
It will take place in a changed landscape with no spectators or sponsors present, while the teams work in “bubbles” with strict health and safety conditions and the media are kept at a distance.
“I have to say that I am very satisfied with the plan that has been developed,” said Seidl.
“What is different now than in Australia is that we have a clear concept of isolating the teams from each other,” added the German.
“The approach is clear: if someone is positive, they have to be isolated from the team and obviously cannot continue. But for anyone else who isn’t affected or negative, they can just go ahead. ”
All teams have backup staff on standby who have been tested and can step in if necessary.
In Melbourne, McLaren retired on Thursday after a positive result as he was generally concerned about racing in the face of a growing pandemic.
The race was then stopped before Friday training started.
The team members are now tested every five days and must also distance themselves and wear face masks in the paddock. Seidl said that all of his team’s tests have been negative so far.
The teams that fly in charter planes and stay isolated in their hotels will not mix with locals or rival outfits, with key groups within the teams remaining isolated to limit spread.
“I think it’s a good mix of protecting our people and enabling a good show,” said Seidl.
Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Edited by Hugh Lawson
.
