Szafnauer sees F1 return in Austria in July as ‘plausible’

Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer believes there’s a “plausible” chance of Formula 1 returning to action in early July in Austria.

Following the announcement yesterday by Paul Ricard to scrap the French Grand Prix, the Red Bull Ring in Austria is now next in line to raise the curtain on F1’s disrupted 2020 season.

Formula 1 boss Chase Carey expressed on Monday his confidence that the Spielberg event will indeed allow F1 to get itself in gear, a view also shared by Szafnauer.

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“If Austria do a very good job as a country to contain the spread of the virus into July, and there’s testing available for all of the Formula 1 employees or participants to actually test, I think it’s plausible to put on a race in early July,” the Racing Point boss told CNN.

“If by sometime in June, we say yes, it’s on, it’s happening, we’re safe to go. I think all the teams will be able to make it, no problem.”

Earlier this month, Austria became the first European country to start easing coronavirus restrictions, but all public sporting events will remain banned until the end of June.

However, the country’s government and local authorities in Styria aren’t dismissing the possibility of F1 setting up shop at the Red Bull Ring for a race, or perhaps even two, behind closed doors.

“Of course I support the idea of Formula 1 coming to Styria and to the Red Bull Ring even this year,” said Styria’s governor, Hermann Schützenhöfer.

“We must not lose our positive attitude during the crisis.

“It would be wonderful to send images from an exciting grand prix, as well as the beautiful images from the Murtal region around the world, at least via TV.”

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