Advertisement

Updated May 23rd, 2020 at 09:45 IST

No quarantine exemption puts British Grand Prix at risk

Formula One's hopes of hosting 2 races at Silverstone were dealt a blow as elite sport was not handed any exemption to UK govt's plans to introduce quarantine

quarantine
| Image:self
Advertisement

Formula One's hopes of hosting two races at Silverstone were dealt a blow as elite sport was not handed any exemption to the UK government's plans to introduce a 14-day quarantine period for those entering the country. The measures will be introduced from June 8 to help curb the spread of coronavirus, but will reviewed every three weeks meaning an agreement could still be found in time for the two races at Silverstone to go ahead in July. F1 stressed the need earlier this week for a quarantine exemption by highlighting the impact the new rules will have on "tens of thousands of jobs linked to F1 and supply chains."

No quarantine exemption puts British Grand Prix at risk

However, Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle is hopeful that an agreement can be reached that allows both races to go ahead.

"I am very clear that the importance of the industry is understood by government," he told Sky Sports.

"So I remain optimistic that a sensible and pragmatic solution, which puts the onus on the sport quite rightly to come up with the right solution, can be found." Seven of the 10 teams on the Formula One grid have bases in England.

"This isn't just 90 minutes of an exciting sporting race. This is about getting an industry back to work," added Pringle.

"This is about 40-plus thousand people's livelihoods being ignited.

"The racing is at the very top of the pinnacle. Formula 1 is absolutely the top of the motorsport tree, it's the bit that we see and it's the most visible bit.

"But it is the stand-bearer for this industry and it's about getting an industry started again." F1 organisers are hoping to start the season with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5 behind closed doors, followed by a second race at the Red Bull Ring a week later.

It was hoped Silverstone could then host two races in back-to-back weekends, also behind closed doors. "We have been working closely with government on the implications of the policy for Formula 1 and Silverstone and those discussions are ongoing at this time with the aim of finding a solution with safety as our first priority," an F1 spokesman told AFP on Friday. The quarantine restrictions could also have a major impact on the participation of British sides in European football competition. Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Wolves and Rangers are all still involved in the knockout stages of the Champions League or Europa League. UEFA is planning for both competitions to be finished in August once domestic seasons have been completed. 

Image credits: Twitter / PA

Advertisement

Published May 23rd, 2020 at 09:45 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Kangana Ranaut
a few seconds ago
former dsp shailendra singh revealed criminal activity of Mukhtar Ansari
2 minutes ago
Congress Press Conference
2 minutes ago
Russia Election Putin belgorod
4 minutes ago
Mukhtar Ansari Death
6 minutes ago
Shares surged on optimism that the US Fed may be done raising interest rates & that the economy remains resilient
11 minutes ago
Jerome Powell
16 minutes ago
RCB vs KKR
23 minutes ago
US Federal Reserve
32 minutes ago
Convicted Gangster Mukhtar Ansari Dies of Heart Attack
41 minutes ago
Team Legend
44 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo