Protective masks for garage crew is biggest challenge – Ferrari. The new Formula 1 everyday life.

Scuderia Ferrari sports director Laurent Mekies talks about the new Formula 1 everyday life with protective masks and sees a challenge for the garage crew

Having to wear protective masks in the heat and intensity inside the Formula 1 garage will be the biggest challenge for the team’s employees within the new corona protocol, Ferrari believes. “Especially for the guys in the garage, it will be the hardest thing to wear the masks all the time,” says sports director Laurent Mekies.

“We have started to get used to it. For all of us it has become a part of normal life. At Ferrari it is compulsory, so we wear one all the time in the factory and in the office anyway,” says Mekies.

​However, it is something else to wear the mask only in normal office life – and not at 40 degrees on a hot race track. Most of the teams were at least able to adjust to the situation by test drives, because they already had to wear masks there as well.

​Scuderia Ferrari also gave its employees tips on breathing exercises and arranged breaks during which the crew could come out of the garage and take a deep breath.

Face masks and social distancing are just two of the measures for resuming racing operations. Teams will also be in a “bubble” within their own organisation so that the crews of the two cars mix as little as possible.

​According to Mekies, however, they will still help each other out if there is a problem with the other car and additional help is needed – for example for repairs or engine changes. “It’s not a rule, so you’re not forced into this bubble. You’re supposed to be your own bubble as a team, but that we do sub-bubbles within the team is our own responsibility.”

​If urgent cooperation is necessary, but safety is not compromised, the sports director promises: “That won’t be a factor”, he waves off. “Whenever you can’t keep your distance, you have to wear protective masks anyway. We will do what we have to do – and we will do it in the safest way possible.”

​”There will therefore be no temptation or incentive to drop any of this (the protective measures; editor’s note) because it will be the norm.” – the Ferrari sports director concluded.