Formula 1 opens talks with UK over quarantine measures

Formula 1 chiefs have contacted the UK government to seek clarification on Britain’s upcoming quarantine measures and whether they could impact the start of the sport’s season.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Sunday that a mandatory 14-day quarantine would soon be applied to all individuals travelling to Britain from any country other than the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Anyone entering the UK would have to self-isolate at a declared private residence for the allotted quarantine period, and spot-checks on the address could be made to ensure that people are adhering to the rules. The rules also apply to British residents returning from overseas.

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Johnson did not detail the quarantine measures or provide their starting date. But with F1’s plans to get its season in gear in Austria in early July, an application of the quarantine measures during that period could derail the sport’s starting efforts.

According to the BBC, F1’s chiefs have held talks with the UK government “regarding the testing and isolation plans it will have in place”.

An F1 spokesman also told Motorsport.com: “We will wait to see the details and are in discussion with government regarding our plans to restart racing safely.”

F1 is in the process of devising a plan to keep its limited community safe during race weekends, with stringent testing and screening of all individuals done before and during events accompanied by physical distancing measures in the paddock.

It is believed that F1 is seeking an exemption from the UK’s quarantine restriction that would apply to the organization’s staff and all team personnel under the condition that each individual tests negative for the coronavirus before their entry, or re-entry into the country.