F1 considering Austria start and double dose of Silverstone

Formula 1 is still contemplating raising the curtain on its season in Austria in early July while also mulling two consecutive race weekends behind closed doors at Silverstone.

Following the cancellation or postponement of the first nine races of the 2020 season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and with the French Grand Prix also expected to be called off, Austria has now been earmarked as a potential starting point for F1’s campaign.

This week, Austria eased its lockdown restrictions, which implies that the July 5 round at the Red Bull Ring stands a chance of actually taking place, albeit behind closed doors.

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The opening round of the F1 world championship would then be followed a two – or perhaps even three – races at Silverstone on consecutive weekends, also held without any spectators.

While teams – who met online yesterday with F1’s chiefs and FIA president Jean Todt – are open to the idea of kick-starting the season in Austria and racing on consecutive weekends at Silverstone, the group believes such a schedule would only make sense if racing is sure to be able to continue later in the summer.

Taking up residence at Silverstone would obviously simplify logistics for F1, or at least for the seven UK-based teams who all have bases close to the Northampton track.

Outfits coming from abroad – Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and AlphaTauri – would also simplify their travel arrangements with crews remaining in the UK for the duration of the spell at Silverstone.

Specific financial arrangements between Liberty Media and the race promoters would need to be worked out to compensate the latter for an event organized in front of empty grandstands and without any ticket sales.

Finally, Silverstone has reportedly rejected the idea of running a race on a reverse layout as this would force on the track costly location changes to safety barriers and run-off areas.