Returning to a brand new routine
Formula 1 prepares for the opening 2020 grand prix
The Formula 1 paddock will look very different when the 2020 season finally gets underway in Austria this weekend.
The race at the Red Bull Ring will spark a hectic opening to the campaign, which had originally been scheduled to start in Melbourne, Australia, on March 15, just as the global coronavirus pandemic set in.
The schedule has been reworked with eight races on the roster so far, including a doubleheader in Austria followed by the Hungarian GP the week after.
The F1 circus will then move to Silverstone for back-to-back races on August 2 and August 9.
Teams will not be able to take their usual motorhomes and paddock set-up to the races as restrictions will be placed on the venue.
Mercedes head of logistics Karl
Fanson explained that there would be other differences too: “In agreement with F1, what we’ve managed to do is we’re going to move the race trucks further away from the garages, and we’ll be supplying our own tents and awnings.
“[This will] give us more working space within the garage. It’s easier to social distance and work comfortably.”
Other changes include the way the teams operate over the course of the race weekend. Fanson added: “Normally we would have our fuel delivered to the garage and then we would send people to Pirelli to collect the tyres.
“Now, there will be drop-off point and collection point for the fuel, and also the tyres will be taken to a drop-off point. Our lads will go to the collection point and collect the tyres, and then vice versa.
“Once we’re finished with the tyres we’ll take them back, and
Pirelli will pick them up once we’re clear of the area.”