F1 | Masi on COVID-19 precautions: "We can't just think we are invincible"
COVID-19 has represented, and still is representing, one of the biggest challenges Formula 1 has ever faced. So far the crisis management has worked out perfectly, but race director Michael Masi warns they should not "drop the ball".
This year's epidemic has provided Formula 1 with many headaches. Not only it was necessary to recreate the whole calendar from scratches, but it was also fundamental to keep the virus out of the paddock.
The FIA and Liberty Media for sure have everyone's safety as a priority, but also couldn't allow the sport to be seen as a main site of the Coronavirus for economic reasons as well.
High frequency tests, limited on-track personnel, mandatory face masks and 'traveling bubbles' managed to create what, according to Will Buxton, has been the "safest place in the world".
At the season opener in Austria indeed no test out of the 5.000 done resulted positive. Still, to vehicle a strong message for a world-wide audience, every person in the paddock had to keep on respecting the very strict protocol elaborated.
Race Director Michael Masi has been -and is- playing a key role in this fight for Formula 1. The efforts made so far were both impressive and effective, but -he warns- the sport "can't just drop the ball".
“I think as a sport and as an industry, we should be very proud of what we have achieved over these first three events,” said Masi. "Considering the time that obviously we’ve had collectively, particularly between the FIA and together with F1 in developing the return to racing plan, the methods, the protocols, the support from everyone about the pit lanes, journalists, support categories, has been fantastic."
"There’s been minor tweaks along the way -Masi stated referring to a couple of paddock ousiders tested positive- but overall, as a process and as a structure, I think we’re about there. I’m proud of what we’ve done.”
https://www.motorlat.com/notas/f1/16320/f1-elkann-not-expecting-ferrari-wins-till-2022
The results achieved so far, Masi underlines, have to be seen as major steps, but not as an ultimate success: “There’s certainly a level of confidence. I think one part is not to be complacent, it’s probably the big part," he said. "The fact we have got through the first three events with only the two cases, but effectively outside of the paddock, one thing that we all need to be conscious of is that COVID-19 is very much around us, and everywhere, globally."
“So we can’t just drop the ball getting to Silverstone and think we’re invincible. The only thing that I can say is my biggest fear is people becoming complacent, and we just need to stick with the process that we’ve developed."
Breathtaking, gripping, sensational 🤩
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 28, 2020
An unforgettable race in Hockenheim, #OnThisDay in 2019 🇩🇪#F1 pic.twitter.com/7ghc90cAyJ
