F1: F1's 'Biosphere' Explained, AUT GP Approved by Government

Today (30th May), the Austrian government has given the green light for the opening 2 rounds of the 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season to happen in the Styrian Mountains at the Red Bull Ring.

F1 has its own plans to travel the world in 2020 by creating what Managing Director of Motorsport Ross Brawn has described as a 'biosphere' at Grand Prixs. In short, this means that anyone part of F1 personnel, be it teams, media, organisers etc, will be completely separated from the rest of the country throughout the duration of the event. 

To achieve this, all personnel will fly on chartered flights, and land at the nearest airport to the venue of that weekends race (in the case of Austria, at the military airfield nearby). Before entering the country, all personnel must be tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. If tested negative, then each person will carry a health certificate to prove so, acting as a medical 'passport'.

Testing will then occur every 3 days that people are in the country, and all personnel will stay within their own teams at specially reserved accommodation, separate to the public.

F1 is set to start in Austria on July 5th, with a 2nd race at the Red Bull Ring the following weekend. Hungary is then set to follow the weekend after on July 19th, before taking a week break before the delayed British Grand Prix races on August 2nd and 9th.