THE F1 COVID THREAD: Will GP be cancelled?

[midgetman]

I think you'll find that the Silverstone MD has already shut down any talk of other circuits or reverse running. He said only the current GP track in clockwise direction is licensed/suitable for F1.

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[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by thetool

As you can see from a 2020 satellite image of Silverstone, that layout does exist

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Si...6!4d-1.0146634

But would not currently be feasible to use as the relevant kerbing is not in place. Should they ever wish to use it, the work required to make the layout usable would be minimal. The biggest issue would be obtaining the relevant licensing for that layout.

It obviously exists (as such) because it is a combination of parts of other layouts.

Where is the logic in putting the work needed in to use it. Silverstone has 3 layouts, 2 of which can be used independently and concurrently. To create this layout requires investment in kerbs, barriers and more. The result is a layout that adds little over existing options, and can only be used in isolation.
What series do we think would be willing to pay a premium to use a circuit that is marginally better than the national, and no better than the international?

Every time one of the smaller circuits is used, Silverstone has the option of activity on the other. This hypothetical layout ties up the circuit in the same way the GP circuit does.

Digitally, it's easy to provide and gives variety. In the real world, the practicalities make it expensive for little return.

[Adam43]

Crikey! Potentially two British GP! Both a date before Spa. Is a the clever money on Britain as first, or will the government say the UK is still closed?

Philo, Plantagenet, Skam85. Are you feeling lucky?

[bella]

noticed it snuck out today that the 14 day quarantine may not be a thing for business travellers (see, told ya, it’s just a way of keeping tourists out) which will cover f1 and other racing.

[Casper]

There is now talk of the Bathurst 12 hour not going ahead and if that comes to fruition you can scratch the AGP for next year as well at least as the opening round. To run it at any other time of the year would mean a big hit on attendance as well if normality is resumed by then. The big problem is going to be persuading the governement to allow F1 teams entry into the country. Unlike Europe and the UK Oz just shut the borders and there is absolutely no talk of them re-opening any time soon and any entries that do happen are forcibly escorted to quarintine facilities and locked up.

[Alan52]

Even if the teams were allowed in the bigger problem is social distancing with spectators.Hoping for an Albert Park return in 2022.
Also worth noting that the Victorian government has been amongst the strongest on restrictions.

[bjohnsonsmith]

I was reading on the BBC's website, Italy are to lift travel restrictions from June 3rd.

Personally, I think this is premature as is this easing of the lockdown in general, though it does bode well as far as Alpha Tauri and Ferrari are concerned with team travel.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52687448

[bella]

i disagree, as long as they try and dissuade tourism it's as good a time as any to do it. border activity won't return to 100% of previous levels immediately and freight has been able to go backwards and forwards regardless.

but it is good news for the potential restarting of f1 and motorsport activity in general. formula renault is due to go to monza in mid-july and iirc is the earliest international series outside of f1 to be travelling there?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by bella

i disagree, as long as they try and dissuade tourism it's as good a time as any to do it. border activity won't return to 100% of previous levels immediately and freight has been able to go backwards and forwards regardless.

but it is good news for the potential restarting of f1 and motorsport activity in general. formula renault is due to go to monza in mid-july and iirc is the earliest international series outside of f1 to be travelling there?

If they kept the travel restrictions in place, there would be no need to try and dissuade tourism. I would err on the side of caution and if they want to lift the travel restrictions do it at the end of June. The last thing we need is this second wave that's being talked about from becoming a reality.

[Adam43]

There is no certain answer. If managed well then it is good for some things to be opened up. There is a big old compromise to had over safety, economic activity, mental health, and all the other things. And maybe there needs to be a little erring at the moment, but even then to what level.

Like most things it’s not one or the other. The actual solution will move between. one end to the other end. Where between the extremes we should be is difficult to answer. For instance we already have some exceptions; you can go to the store for supplies for example.

More towards lots of restrictions rather than less at the moment I would say.

It is this neither one thing nor another situation that will make it practically impossible to discuss on the Internet because eventually someone will come along with an absolute and argue that. Or say, But what would Hamilton do in a Ferrari, nerrrrr.

[Adam43]

Money seeker is looking favourite to win this at the moment
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14...host-f1-return

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Money seeker is looking favourite to win this at the moment
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14...host-f1-return

Hope the prize money is good...

[Adam43]

The prize is that you get to run Liberty.

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Crikey! Potentially two British GP! Both a date before Spa. Is a the clever money on Britain as first, or will the government say the UK is still closed?

Philo, Plantagenet, Skam85. Are you feeling lucky?

I'll be more than happy to be wrong in this instance!


How about this for a suggestion for a track amendment. Instead of reverse layout why don't they just move the start/finish line to where it was before it changed?

Keep the pitlane where it is. Just literally paint white grid slots and a start/finish line on a different part of the track. Changes a bit, turn one for starters. It'd be a small and simple change for what would almost feel like a different race. Surely the timing and sectors wouldn't be too tricky either?

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Skam85

I'll be more than happy to be wrong in this instance!


How about this for a suggestion for a track amendment. Instead of reverse layout why don't they just move the start/finish line to where it was before it changed?

Keep the pitlane where it is. Just literally paint white grid slots and a start/finish line on a different part of the track. Changes a bit, turn one for starters. It'd be a small and simple change for what would almost feel like a different race. Surely the timing and sectors wouldn't be too tricky either?

They don't even need the paint; that start line is still there, used for the National circuit (and MotoGP, if I recall correctly, as they prefer the access in the old paddock).

[bella]

tis a rare thing for a non-f1 race to be run from the wing. in fact, i think i’ve been at two club events, and a couple of test days held there out of about a billion in the past few years since it’s been finished. the wing is arguably not fit for purpose but that’s an entirely different discussion!

[Peter Mallett]

The Classic uses both. National for morning races and wing for afternoon races. Loads of space around the Wing but the assembly area for races is right at the back of the garages. Hence if you finish early you cant load up and get out!

[Richard C]

I know F1 has specific requirements for things like grid position timing loops and photographic equipment that is setup at the start/finish. All for timing and scoring. Does the other configurations have those extra grid position loops? Then you have turn numbering, etc. (not sure if those are different if you may move start/finish for one of the two races). Why would F1 T&S want to move (or duplicate) all of this setup for double header events? And how much of a difference would it make for the race if it is just moving start/finish?

Richard

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I know F1 has specific requirements for things like grid position timing loops and photographic equipment that is setup at the start/finish. All for timing and scoring. Does the other configurations have those extra grid position loops? Then you have turn numbering, etc. (not sure if those are different if you may move start/finish for one of the two races). Why would F1 T&S want to move (or duplicate) all of this setup for double header events? And how much of a difference would it make for the race if it is just moving start/finish?

Richard

It sounds like a lot of hassle just to add variety to the opening 10 seconds of a race.

[chillibowl]

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing back to back races at the same venue with the same configuration. The ability to dial in could be an interesting talking point.

[S griffin]

I think they should think carefully while doing this, we need a lot variety in the calendar. Still there are plenty of circuits out there, but we need a good calendar that works

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I think they should think carefully while doing this, we need a lot variety in the calendar. Still there are plenty of circuits out there, but we need a good calendar that works

The revised calendar is based on the full 2020 season calendar but unfortunately, it has been somewhat restricted by the pandemic and there's not much F1 can really do about it, given the current circumstances.

[Richard C]

While talking about a revised schedule and thinking about running multiple races at the same circuit, it made me think about tire allocation. I might be remembering it wrong, but is there some type of pre-event declaration as to quantity of tires each driver wants? I assume this is to Pirelli doesn't have to bring every potential permutation of tires to each race.

I know they have the five compounds and they only bring three to each race, but I thought that even within the three there was some type of decision made per driver in advance of the weekend. Or am I remembering it incorrectly? If I am remembering it correctly, how to adjust to a revised schedule?

All of this leads up to the question of lead time that Pirelli needs to produce and deliver tires. I thought that in general F1 tires were generally made for "just in time" delivery and they didn't manufacture them in bulk early in the season. Given we are talking double header events, the tire usage should be roughly 2x per event. Can anyone speak to the planning around tires for an altered 2020 season?

Richard

[Adam43]

Here is an article on that very thing. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14...g-tyre-choices


Lead times are:

Teams are required to give Pirelli 14 weeks' notice on tyre choices for flyaway races, and eight weeks for European rounds.

It’s going to be a big task to manufacture all the tyres as production has been paused.

"We probably have to produce something in the region of roughly 35,000 tyres in probably a couple of months, not in one year. You can imagine the impact on production. That is quite big.

Pirelli might ask that the pre event choice is removed.

[S griffin]

This is a tricky situation and not ideal, I am sure Pirelli will still have their allocation and then the teams and drivers will pick their allocation. It works fine the way it does

Apparently though Pirelli alone will decide which tyres to bring. I think I read the teams will have no say in it. It’s not an ideal situation and hopefully it all gets sorted out in the future