“There will be no one at the racetrack that is not necessary for the event to successfully take place.” Here it is, Formula 1 during the time of coronavirus explained by Laurent Mekies. Speaking in videoconference from Maranello, Scuderia Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies explains the main points of the security protocol: the first is the reduced staff. There will be no sponsors or guests, and therefore no hospitality to welcome them, but only eighty people, 60 of whom are directly dedicated to track activities. Then mandatory masks and, above all, the creation of a virtual bubble and many sub-bubbles.
But what if a team member gets tested positive during a race weekend?
Laurent Mekies: “We have increased medical support on the spot, he/she will be assisted and treated. Those who have come into contact with the person will be tested. To allow the activities to continue, we have reservations in Maranello ready to leave for Austria if the situation requires it. Let’s hope we won’t need it.”
Laurent Mekies also confirmed that in case either Charles Leclerc or Sebastian Vettel would not be able to race during a race weekend due to testing positive for COVID-19, Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi would be the one replacing either of them at the wheel of the SF1000 car. According to the Italian daily newspaper published in Turin, La Stampa, Scuderia Ferrari has already discussed this with Alfa Romeo and has reached an reached an agreement.
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