Belgian GP receives approval as a behind-closed-doors event
Belgium's National Security Council authorized all sporting facilities to re-open under strict safety measures from May 18th.
F1 may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel amid the Coronavirus pandemic, as the first revised version of the 2020 calendar started circulating. In the meantime, more defining and encouraging details emerge regarding the Belgian GP, with the Wallonia government approving to hold the event behind closed doors.
As mass gatherings and events were banned until August 31st back in April, this year’s edition of the Belgian GP appeared to be in jeopardy. However, Belgium's National Security Council declared that restrictive measures on sporting facilities are set to be loosened from Monday, May 18th.
On that date, the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack will re-open, although strict conditions and social distancing must be respected. Hence, the Belgian GP is bound to go ahead as a participants-only event.
The season is set to begin with a double header in Austria on July 5th, but F1 and the FIA are yet to deliberate on a fixed set of norms to observe in the paddock. Drivers might be required to wear their helmets more often, in order to protect themselves. Moreover, the concept of media sessions needs to be rethought, aiming to avoid mass gatherings of more than 20 people.
