2020 AUSTRIAN GP - THE LONG AWAITED RESTART

The long wait is over: 109 days ago, overnight from Thursday 12 to Friday 13 March, the Australian GP was cancelled and Formula 1, along with all other sports, was stopped by the ferocity of a global pandemic that left many locked down at home. Fans discovered the delights of virtual racing with work in the Formula 1 factories also coming to a halt, restarting slowly in May.

First global sport to restart. Formula 1 is the first international sport of any kind to restart since Covid-19 and because it is not yet eradicated, it means that spectators are not allowed to attend the races, while the teams must reduce the number of personnel at the track and everyone involved must follow strict protocols.

The paddock will experience a new normality involving words like bubble, subgroup and social distancing.

#ForzaAlex. Scuderia Ferrari will take to the track in Austria with a message of support for Alex Zanardi, following the racing driver and Paralympic champion’s terrible accident on 19 June while taking part in a handbike event to promote sport for those with disabilities.

He is currently fighting for his life in a Siena hospital. The two cars will carry the #ForzaAlex message on either side of the roll hoop, just under the camera on the engine air intake.

Sebastian Vettel: "It’s no secret that we’re all really keen to get back on track, as it’s been such a long time now. At the start, the break was enjoyable, as usually we are always travelling around the world and we have little time to spend with family and friends, but the time has come to get back on track. I’m ready to give it my all, even if it won’t be the same without the fans there supporting us."

"The Austrian track is like a carousel that goes round really quickly but I like it a lot, especially as it is high in the mountains which I love. We have to be realistic when it comes to the pecking order seen at the tests, but we are not downhearted. It will also be unusual doing two races in a row here as for the second one we will have a lot of data to work with. What we do in the first weekend will have an important effect on the second."

Charles Leclerc: "I like the Spielberg circuit very much, because of all its changes of gradient and its high speeds. It’s nice to be starting again there, even if we won’t be able to see the support of our fans at the track."

"During the long lockdown, I spent time working on my physical training and also doing quite a lot of virtual racing on my simulator, having fun with other drivers and I hope it was also entertaining for those watching from home."

"But now it’s time to get back in the cockpit of a real car. Last week in Mugello, we were able to get into a Formula 1 car again and I have to say it was really enjoyable to be back behind the wheel.”