Formula 1 and MotoGP season openers face new uncertainty after the Italian government announced plans to impose strict quarantines in a number of regions where the teams are based on Saturday.
Amid growing concerns over the escalating coronavirus situation in Italy, the most affected country in Europe – with 233 deaths and 5,883 people infected so far – the government has said it intends to make a dramatic move to try to contain the epidemic.
On Saturday evening, the government announced that a new decree including draconian quarantine measures to impose fines on anyone entering or leaving a number of northern Italy regions – including Modena where Ferrari is based – was to be approved soon.
The areas also include Milan where Pirelli is based, as well as Lombardy – where the Yamaha MotoGP factory team operates – and the province of Pesaro and Urbino, where the grand prix motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi is based nine times. .
Interestingly, Bologna does not currently fall into the designated red areas, which means that Ducati is not affected.
Its leading drivers Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci, based in Forli, are also doing well for the moment.
At the moment, the AlphaTauri F1 team – whose base in Faenza is located in Ravenna – is released from the lockdown.
It has been suggested that allowances be given to people with serious business reasons for leaving, but there is no indication yet whether this will include staff from the F1 or MotoGP team or even riders.
MotoGP has already canceled its season opening in Qatar after the government imposed immediate 14-day quarantines on anyone traveling from Italy or who has been in the country in the past two weeks, which affects much of the paddock.
The Thai Grand Prix, which was to be the second round, was also postponed to October 4 due to a ban on large public gatherings in the country.
A new schedule released by organizers of MotoGP Dorna Sports on Thursday in Austin on April 5 as the season opening – although this was thrown into doubt on Saturday morning when host city Austin declared a coronavirus state of emergency.
Earlier Saturday in Qatar, Tech3 MotoGP team leader and President of the International Race Teams Association (IRTA), Hervé Poncharal, told Dutch Eurosport that a decision on the upcoming Austin race will be made next week.
The F1 season is set to start in Australia next weekend, and the country has already announced that people from Italy will face additional checks upon arrival in the country.
So far, however, there has been no strict travel ban: although it is unclear whether the Italian government’s decision will result in a change of position.
Autosport understands that Ferrari is monitoring the latest situation regarding government actions as the situation evolves.
However, most Ferrari staff will likely be on their way to Melbourne before any quarantine restrictions take effect, which could mean that the opening of the season may continue while clarification is sought on the subject. evolution from here.
While the Italian situation only affects Italian teams and companies, F1 general manager of motorsport Ross Brawn made it clear last week that if a team had a problem getting to a race, the sport would not be able to organize a world championship.
“If a team is prevented from entering a country, we cannot participate in a race,” he told Reuters.
“Not a Formula 1 world championship race, anyway, because that would be unfair.
“Obviously, if a team makes its own choice not to participate in a race, it is their decision.
“But when a team is prevented from participating in a race due to a decision by the country, it is difficult to have a fair competition.”
MotoGP has adopted a similar position with regard to any rider or team unable to participate in a race due to travel restrictions.
Speaking before the latest developments from the Italian government, Pirelli said he was ready for tighter restrictions on his Italian staff.
A Pirelli spokesperson said, “We will take the same number of people.
“For Australia and Bahrain, we know that we, from Italy, about twenty people, will undergo medical checks when we land. We are all patient and available.
“Nothing is decided to reach Vietnam – we will await more indications.”
