Boris Johnson lobbying the British Grand Prix
The Prime Minister insists on making an exception for Formula 1
The UK is among the countries most affected by COVID-19, and the government has logically changed the initially looser measures it hoped to take during the pandemic. The country will introduce a mandatory 14-day quarantine for those arriving from abroad, and Formula 1 employees are not among the exceptions to which this rule does not apply.
This casts doubt on the two races at Silverstone, which will form the third and fourth stages of the 2019 season. However, according to The Times, Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally advocated that Formula 1 was an exception.
The motorsport industry is widely represented in the UK, where seven out of ten Formula 1 teams are based, and the race at Silverstone is the key to resuming the championship. However, if the government rejects Liberty Media requirements, Hockenheim and Hungaroring are ready to accept the free dates.
The quarantine measures in the UK will be reviewed at the end of June and are likely to be significantly mitigated, but the British Grand Prix is scheduled for mid-July. Lack of sufficient time to respond is a major problem in this situation.
The Formula 1 season should begin on July 5 with the Austrian Grand Prix behind closed doors. The Red Bull Ring will also host the second round, which will take place in a week.
