Formula 1

No Podiums in the ‘New Normal’ Formula 1

2 Mins read
Credit: Aston Martin Red Bull Racing / Getty Images

Formula 1 Managing Director, Ross Brawn has revealed that the traditional podium celebrations in Formula 1 will not take place during the FIA 2020 Formula 1 World Championship.

The 2020 season will run with a new structure due to the effects of COVID-19, and to fit with the guidelines laid out by the FIA, this involves changes to the pre and post-race ceremonies.

When speaking to F1.com, he explained that the situation has led to the decision surrounding podiums, also talking about how they are trying to figure out how a race weekend will work exactly before the Austrian Grand Prix.

Because of the implementation of the procedures, we need to be safe and sure of the COVID-19 situation. The practises we have had in the past just can’t be done.

So every aspect from the time teams arrive to the time they leave has been thought through, and it’s not completely finalised, but we’re working with the FIA to polish it.

The podium procedure can’t happen, but we’re looking at doing something on the grid after the race. One option would be to line the cars up on the track and the drivers will stand in front of cars.

We can’t present the trophies, as you can’t have someone in close proximity presenting a trophy, but we have worked it out, we have plans and procedures, we’re looking at how we can present it on TV.

He added that the pre-race schedule will also see changes,“The [Sunday morning] drivers’ parade won’t happen as we can’t put 20 drivers on the back of a truck and take it round the track

So instead we will interview with each one of them in front of the garage. There’s plenty of ways we can engage without compromising health and safety.

Brawn explained, that safety of the paddock has to come first. After COVID-19 has seen several Grand Prix cancelled such as the Monaco Grand Prix. It also affected the Australian Grand Prix, as a team member of McLaren F1 Team tested positive.

Things like the national anthem, you can’t have all the drivers grouped together. And you can’t have our FIA Future Stars stood in front of them.

The FIA Future Stars will still be part of the show virtually. They will have the uniforms sent to them and they’ll send us videos of them with a message which we can play, so there are lots of things we can do to make it entertaining.

Brawn also added that the race weekend will still be as entertaining to the audience of Formula 1.

I’m 100% confident that we will make it an engaging and exciting product, it will just be different. This is the new norm. How long will this carry on? We don’t know, but this will be the new norm for the rest of the year for sure.

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