Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel recently gave his thoughts on the possibility of F1 conducting closed-door races. The German driver isn’t a huge fan of racing without the fans and suggested employing a different approach. Keeping health and safety in mind, Formula 1 is strongly considering holding the first few races without any spectators.
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Sebastian Vettel not a big supporter of closed-door races
Due to Coronavirus, F1 has canceled or postponed nearly half the race calendar. The French Grand Prix currently stands as the tentative start to the season. However, it is only a matter of time before F1 postpones the race in France. F1 is yet to go racing this year and is hoping to hold a proper Championship in 2020.
The sport intends to conduct at least 15-18 races to give the fans a Championship season. However, to hold a substantial number of races, Formula 1 needs to get the season underway sooner rather than later. Even if the situation improves, having over 100000 fans assemble together for an event would be a disaster. Thus, F1 plans to hold the first few rounds in Europe with no spectators.
This isn’t the first time the sport has planned a closed-door event this year. The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally planned as a closed-doors event before it was wisely postponed altogether.
Sebastian Vettel feels the best choice would be to wait and hold a race the proper way. However, the German warned that the sport should prioritize health before entertainment. Sport1 quoted The 4 times World Champion as follows:
“Nobody likes to drive in front of empty grandstands. That feels strange. In Austria, you would say: bland.”
“ On the other hand, a ghost race could, of course, be played earlier than one with spectators.”
“ You have to weigh up the economic aspect of Formula 1, that teams and Survive series and the image of the sport.”
“ So you shouldn’t take quick shots, but rather wait and not run ghost races. I don’t think it would be the same on TV if you drove in front of empty seats.”
Many believe the 2020 season will finally begin with the Austrian Grand Prix in July. It would be weird not to have spectators but at this stage, hardcore fans would give anything just to see some racing action.
