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Yesterday was a day for hope in Formula 1, a day that could be considered the first firm step towards something like a future. A special day for Carlos Sainz , a participant in both the tributes for the 50th anniversary of the death of Bruce McLaren , founder of the team for which he will race in 2020, and the joy of Ferrari, his destiny from 2021. «The restart It is not only a detail of optimism, but a step towards normality, "said Mattia Binotto , head of the Scuderia, the pride of Italy banner on Republic Day. Yesterday, as Binotto testified, the dates of the first eight World Cup races were made official. A grueling European tour, between July 5 and September 6, however, marked by precautions and uncertainties.

What will happen at airports?

The Red Bull Ring, nestled in a remote part of the Austrian Alps, has been the most logical choice to start. It has a very close air base, which will facilitate charter flights and allow rapid road transport to Budapest. The trucks carrying the cars will take just over four hours to reach the Hungaroring. And from Hungary, the Grand Circus will transfer its gear to Silverstone and Montmeló. The most delicate situations will be experienced in customs at airports. In fact, the approval of Boris Johnson , who on Monday allowed top-level athletes to be exempted from quarantine upon entering Britain, has been key.

What measures will the circuits take?

The objective of Liberty Media, the company that owns the business, is to manufacture a "Covid-19 free bubble", so the eight scheduled events will be held behind closed doors. No guests or companions will be allowed for the pilots. Only essential personnel, both in the 10 teams and among the organizers themselves. Any employee who intends to enter this bubble must provide a negative test result. Once inside, serological tests and temperature controls will be carried out. One of the most vulnerable groups will be the curators. "They will operate as a family," said Michael Masi , F1 race director, yesterday , the crucial task of those who carry the flags and clean the track. After much deliberation, F1 finds it "impossible" for its stewards to maintain physical distance "appropriately."

What will happen to the cars?

After 63 days of forced stoppage, forced by the International Federation (FIA), the 10 teams returned to activity yesterday. However, it will still take weeks for factories to achieve something like full performance. Face masks, disinfectant gels, and shift work make it difficult to develop cars. In addition, some teams have already expressed their concern at the tight schedule. The fear of running out of spare parts will color the preview of the Austrian GP, ​​since in the Red Bull Ring there are multiple failures due to the voluminous protection sausages of some of its curves.

Who loses and who wins?

After weeks of negotiations, the Spanish GP is confirmed as one of the main beneficiaries, given that it will comply with the renewal signed in 2019 and will have August 16, when the heat should not be so tight in Montmeló. Who also reinforces its position is the Italian GP, ​​which maintains its date of September 6 and could even host a second date a week later. "In addition to Monza, we also have Imola and Mugello available," said Angelo Sticchi Damiani , president of the Italian Federation. One of the great victims is the German GP, ​​an event of tremendous character, albeit affected by economic anguish. As in 2015 and 2007, he is again out of the game.

What will come next?

The plans beyond Monza are still shrouded in a haze of unknowns and difficulties. Initially, the idea was to replace the Singapore GP with the Azerbaijan GP, ​​which also has the cumbersome organizational procedures of an urban layout. The doubts also affect Russia, the third country on the planet with the most infected. In the event that Sochi can sustain the sanitary measures, it would be the turn of Mexico, Austin and Sao Paulo, territories where the virus is hitting with special fierceness. However, the presence in American territory would be essential since, according to the FIA ​​sports code, for a championship to be considered World Cup it must be played on three continents. The last one would be Asia, the scene of the triptych Vietnam-Bahrain-Abu Dhabi, from November 22 to December 13. In these three countries, government support and sanitary measures offer much more certainty.

Will there be inverted grills?

For some time, the idea of ​​defining the grills with a 30-minute race had been used, in which the cars would start in reverse order of their position in the World Cup. "It would be entertaining for fans and we shouldn't be afraid to try it," revealed Christian Horner , head of Red Bull on Monday . The proposal was discussed on Friday during a meeting between the teams, the FIA ​​and F1, but counted on the frontal opposition of Mercedes, who considers it a hypothetical threat to its hegemony. The veto would completely frustrate the idea, given that any major change in the FIA ​​regulations requires the unanimous yes of the 10 teams.

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