An impasse between the UK government and Formula 1 could see the 2020 British Grand Prix scrapped in favour of a racing in Germany, per a report from the Daily Mail.
Under F1’s original plan to race amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was to start with back-to-back grands prix in Austria on July 5 and 12, followed by two races at Silverstone in late-July and early-Augus.
However after news broke yesterday that F1 was requesting Boris Johnson’s government grant an exemption to F1 personnel in order to avoid the incoming mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement for international arrivals, Hockenheim is now believed to be ready as an alternative.
As quoted in the report, a source has said “it is basically a matter of turning the key in the gates” to race at the German circuit.
In the event the British GP did not go ahead, 2020 would become the first year in the history of the world championship with no race in F1’s homeland, where seven of the sport’s ten teams are based.
“Quarantine would make it impossible to have a British Grand Prix this year,” an F1 spokesman told the Daily Mail. He, however, feels the Formula 1 paddock would not need to be quarantined as they would not have interacted with anyone but others in the paddock since the beginning of July.
“We would be travelling back to the UK on F1-only aircraft and all staff would be tested, making quarantine totally unnecessary,” he added.
Formula 1 chiefs remain in talks with the UK goverment with a decision is expected in the next 36 hours.
Should the government maintain its position on the quarantine that doesn’t mean the calendar will be two races short with Hockenheim saying it is ready to step in.
Whatever the outcome, a decision is expected within the next 24 hours, with Mr. Johnson himself having the final call.
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