Could quarantine measures scupper hopes to hold British Grand Prix?

The British Grand Prix could be threatened unless F1 bosses can't negotiate a way around the UK government's plans to enforce a two-week quarantine period for people arriving in the country
Could quarantine measures scupper hopes to hold British Grand Prix?

Hopes of holding the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this summer could be threatened if F1 bosses are unable to circumnavigate new quarantine measures for people entering the country as the UK initiates an easing of the current lockdown measures.

On Sunday 10 May, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced there will be plans to force all people arriving in the UK to self-isolate for 14-days as a precaution against spreading the coronavirus.

However, with the British Grand Prix provisionally scheduled to take place immediately after the planned Austrian Grand Prix, not enough time will have elapsed in order to make this happen on schedule.

As such, the BBC reports F1 is making contact with the UK government to find a way around these measures to ensure the race can go ahead as planned, albeit without spectators.

Though F1 is yet to formally release its revised 2020 calendar, it intends to restart the season on July 3-5 at the Red Bull Ring, with another round at the venue taking place a week later. It was then hoping to travel to Silverstone for two more races on back-to-back weekends.

The sport is yet to provide detail on how it intends to run its races beyond the fact they will be behind closed doors with no spectators and minimal media access, while it has previously stated it will provide isolation measures such as regular testing and keeping teams separated from one another as best they can.

However, the sport’s plans hinge on the actions of various governments and how F1 fits into their plans. For instance, Hungary has banned mass gatherings until the end of the summer but there are discussions underway for F1 to not be applied with this measure.

It is hoped F1 will complete a handful of events – most likely multiple races at the same venue – in Europe over the remainder of the summer before heading to Eurasia, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East during the latter portion of what is expected to be an extended season.

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