Bahrain F1 GP announces COVID restrictions for spectators

PARIS: Tickets for Formula One’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix later this month will only be available to fans who have either been vaccinated or have recovered from coronavirus, organisers said on Thursday.

The race gets the 2021 campaign underway on March 28.

“To ensure that the event can proceed in a safe environment, and in line with government health advice, tickets will only be available to vaccinated or COVID-19 recovered individuals,” Bahrain International Circuit announced in a statement.

Only those who have been given the second dose of the vaccine at least two weeks beforehand and people who have recovered from COVID, with at least two weeks since the date of infection, will be allowed to attend. Social distancing and mask wearing will remain mandatory. Bahrain, where pre-season testing will also take place from March 12-14, offered F1 personnel a vaccine.

Most are expected to turn down the offer, though, to avoid getting favourable treatment compared to others in European countries, where the teams are based. The majority of the 2020 season was held behind closed doors.

PORTUGUESE GP CONFIRMED FOR MAY 2: Formula One confirmed on Friday that the vacant May 2 slot in the record-breaking 23-race championship calendar, will be filled by the Portuguese Grand Prix.

The Portimao circuit, in the Algarve, will host a Grand Prix for the second time in its history. The only previous occasion came last October — the first in Portugal for 25 years.

The Portuguese GP will be the third race in the 2021 season and will be followed a week later by neighbouring Spain.

Twenty-seven thousand spectators were in attendance last autumn when Lewis Hamilton won his record-breaking 92nd Grand Prix and the organisers are keen to replicate that in spite of current coronavirus restrictions.

The May 2 slot was left vacant after the cancellation of the 2021 Vietnam Grand Prix for the second year in a row.

The season is set to start in Bahrain on March 28 and features a record 23 races. The Australian Grand Prix, which was scheduled to open the season on March 21, has been postponed to Nov.21. Another postponed race, the Chinese GP, which was initially set for April 11, has not been rescheduled.