Most sports are slowly recovering from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and F1 is one of them. Tentatively, the season is set to commence in early July at the Austrian Grand Prix. However, the FIA’s medical commission head insists that if any coronavirus cases pop up, no race will face cancellation.

Obviously, this message surprised everyone, since the danger is still high. However, professor Gérard Saillant, hailed the world’s ability to detect and isolate COVID-19 carriers in such a short period of time. This is why he insists that the improving situation may allow F1 to run safely.

Back in March, F1 had to cancel the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. At that time, a McLaren F1 team employee tested positive for the disease. So, he and some colleagues faced a quarantine until they recovered. Meanwhile McLaren pulled out, as they weren’t taking any chances.

Since then, nine more races either faced postponement or cancellation out of fear of the global pandemic. Admittedly, F1 hopes to kickstart the season in Austria under strict controls.

“The situation has evolved from Australia,” the 75-year-old Frenchman told L’Equipe. “We have provided a rapid response device to confirm the diagnosis, isolate and test people who have been in contact with a positive case.”

“For me, the grand prix would not be cancelled. It is as if you were telling me that the metro is closed because a traveller has been positively diagnosed there.”

How is F1 planning to tackle any potential issue?

According to Saillant, F1 will conduct regular checks, and at-risk personnel will be barred from travelling. Furthermore, the precautions will permit between 1,000 and 2,000 people inside the circuit.

However, if they leave the circuit, the FIA will repeat the tests in accordance with the local authorities and the WHO. The FIA have partnered with the International Red Cross in order to have special COVID personnel.

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Only key team and support staff can attend any grands prix. The idea is to limit the risks of spreading the disease. F1 managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn described it as a “biosphere”-type scenario.

Saillant concluded, “With a grand prix behind closed doors, there is no need for hospitality. Those present will be in a ventilated, unconfined space, and will have been selected.

“Within this ‘bubble’, we are working with the legal department to set up, on a voluntary basis, an app which would make it possible to know what contact was made, less than a metre away, with someone positive.”