Strict quarantine rules leave F1 and football in turmoil
British grands prix likely to be lost to Hockenheim Premier League clubs’ European games in doubt
Sport has been dealt a devastating blow after two planned grands prix at Silverstone, as well as several European football fixtures involving British teams, were placed in grave danger by strict government quarantine rules to limit imported cases of Covid-19.
After fraught negotiations yesterday, Formula One failed to secure the exemption for which it had long lobbied, with all travelling team personnel learning that from June 8, they would have to self-isolate for 14 days upon their arrival in the UK. Even though the legislation is due to be reviewed after three weeks, it leaves Silverstone with almost no room for manoeuvre in preparing for the races it had hoped to stage on July 26 and Aug 2.
Manchester City and Chelsea are also affected, with both midway through last-16 ties in the Champions League, against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United and Rangers are at the same stage of the Europa League. Uefa remains confident of finishing both competitions by the end of August, but intends to wait until the next meeting of its executive committee on June 17 before coming to any final decisions over exactly when the matches will be played.
The Government’s draconian rules, if extended beyond next month, mean that Ferrari, Alphatauri and Alfa Romeo, the three F1 teams based outside the UK, would have no way of entering the country without being forced into two weeks’ quarantine.
As a consequence, a grand prix double-header that promised to bring priceless exposure for British motorsport is now highly likely to be switched to Hockenheim, Germany, a circuit not even included on the original calendar for 2020.
The potential financial impact on Silverstone, where the British Grand Prix generates £29 million annually, can scarcely be overstated. The Northamptonshire track, which last year attracted a race-day crowd of 141,000, the largest single gate of the British sporting year, was already struggling to absorb the economic effects of holding the events behind closed doors. With the majority of its staff furloughed, the prospect of losing its crown jewel altogether leaves it in a precarious battle for survival.
F1 had argued passionately its contribution to the UK economy should earn an exemption from the quarantine system, highlighting the tens of thousands of team employees whose job security depends on the success of the British Grand Prix. But while it persuaded Oliver Dowden, the Culture Secretary, of its case, it failed to convince the Prime Minister, who feared such a dispensation would encourage other sports to appeal for the same treatment.
For the initial three-week period in which the rules apply, only hauliers, medical professionals, agricultural workers and anyone moving within the Common Travel Area – including Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man – are eligible for exemptions.
At Uefa, there is an awareness of the British situation, and of possible quarantine issues in other European countries. The governing body has asked all leagues to provide an update about their plans by Monday. “I can say that the European season will be finished, if everything is as it is now, in August,” said Aleksander Ceferin, its president.
As it stands, there is no scope for F1 staff to avoid quarantine, even though the sport had offered to fly in overseas workers on private aircraft, and to design a biosecure paddock where all those admitted would be tested for coronavirus every 48 hours.
The Government’s hardline stance leaves F1, which hopes to announce its European calendar within days, no choice but to seek an alternative venue, with Hockenheim in prime position to take the prize. Talks between F1 and German officials are at an advanced stage. The Hungaroring, on the outskirts of Budapest, is also a contender.