This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
On a picturesque summer morning in Spielberg, Austria, the Formula One season finally got underway, but it's a season like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the sport to adapt, and the Red Bull Ring is now a 'bubble' where drivers, teams, and journalists live and work in isolation.
As the drivers prepared for the Austrian Grand Prix, they were masked and socially distanced, a far cry from the usual pre-race excitement. Romain Grosjean, the French driver for Haas, was candid about the challenges of racing in a pandemic.
'We will want to jump into the arms of the team,' Grosjean said, 'but we will try to stay as close as possible to the rules.' The rules are strict, with drivers and team members required to wear masks, keep two meters apart, and undergo regular COVID-19 testing.
Even the traditional familiarisation laps, where drivers and engineers get their bearings before free practice, have been modified. Drivers must keep their gloves on and visors lowered, and even the usual pre-race hugs and handshakes are off-limits.
Despite the challenges, the drivers seemed to be taking it in stride. Lewis Hamilton, chasing a record-equalling seventh world title, was 'impressed' with the safety measures in place and hailed the 'good environment in which to work.'
As the season gets underway, it's clear that Formula One will never be the same again. But with its brave new world of social distancing and mask-wearing, the sport is determined to keep racing – and winning.
