F1 flight to dodge screenings
FORMULA ONE bosses will lay on a double-crewed charter flight to take the sport’s travelling circus from the first to the second race of the forthcoming season in an attempt to beat the threat of coronavirus. F1 will hire a special plane to transport several hundred crucial staff, with two pilots on board. The first pilot will fly the jet half the way from Melbourne, venue of the opening round on March 15, to a staging post en route to Bahrain, the next race the following weekend, 17 and a half hours away. The second pilot will then take over flying. This is to circumnavigate the potential screening process on arrival in Bahrain. Authorities in the Gulf kingdom will subject passengers in contact with countries that are notably affected by the illness to a three-hour examination in a lounge specifically designated for medical tests. That means all Ferrari staff — given their proximity to a severe virus outbreak in Italy, where more than 50 people have died — will be obliged to go through the ordeal. But those who are free to travel without that restriction will be able to walk straight through the security gates in Bahrain. Even if the flight touches down in Singapore or Hong Kong — the exact details are being finalised — nobody will disembark, meaning teams — including drivers, engineers and mechanics — will be allowed to enter the Bahrain capital, Manama, without delay. It is understood that the protocol involving refuelling papers will be expedited. Given its global reach, F1 is particularly vulnerable to the virus, with millions of dollars already wiped off its share price. A spokesman for the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) said: ‘We are working with all relevant government departments to mitigate the threat of coronavirus. ‘Ministries have activated a number of public health measures, including but not limited to restricting travel from high-risk areas, introducing an extensive screening programme and establishing quarantine facilities for suspected cases. ‘It is in the context of these initiatives that the BIC is confident preparations will result in a safe and successful grand prix later this month.’