"We're trying to move the podium to the grid"
General
- GPblog.com
Some races will be able to be held next month, but still without an audience because the virus is far from being contained. Traditions, ceremonies and other formal matters will also have to be changed if the one and a half meter distance between people cannot be guaranteed. Brawn discusses the podium ceremonies amongst other things.
Corona virus means one and a half meters distance from each other and that can't be done on a stage where interviews are held and prizes are handed out. The FIA is already looking for a solution and reports that there are already several ideas.
On F1.com Ross Brawn has the floor: "The podium ceremonies can't go on given the current state of affairs. We are currently seeing if we can do something similar after the race on the grid. A possible option is to put the cars in order on the start/finish and put the drivers in front of it".
Tradition and ceremony on the grid
During an F1-weekend and especially on Sundays people come and go on the grid. Not only are all mechanics and journalists on or along the road, but before and after several ceremonies or parties are held. The joint national anthem and the "driver's parade" are a problem.
Brawn: "Something like the national anthem... You can't have all the drivers together as a group and place the FIA Future Stars in front of them as well. The Future Stars, for example, will remain part of the moment, only virtually. The drivers parade will also be cancelled. Instead, we'll hold interviews at the pitboxes."
Brawn concludes by predicting that the rules that are now being devised will be the norm for at least the rest of this year.