Scuderia Ferrari face a troubled start to the 2020 Formula 1 season as Northern Italy is placed in lockdown, with no travel in or out of the region permitted.
The F1 season is scheduled to begin this coming weekend with the Australian Grand Prix, but a ban on travel in or out of Northern Italy, an area that includes Modena, the home of Ferrari, has put the team in a very difficult position.
“For Lombardy and for the other northern provinces that I have listed there will be a ban for everybody to move in and out of these territories and also within the same territory,” said prime minister Giuseppe Conte. “Exceptions will be allowed only for proven professional needs, exceptional cases and health issues.”
While it is believed that all travelling Ferrari personnel were on route to Australia when the lockdown was enforced, it remains to be seen how large the effect will be on their ability to work with their Maranello-based engineers.
The restriction will be in place until April 3, which means that, while the problems may not be so noticeable at the Australian Grand Prix, things could quickly escalate for the team.
With movement in or out of the region banned and carrying the punishment of a fine or jail time if ignored, it is unclear if or how Ferrari could bring any developments to the opening races and the situation also means that personnel will not be permitted to return home the best part of a month.
AlphaTarui’s Faenza base is outside of the ‘red-zones’ so the restrictions do not currently affect them.
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