Covid-19: Turkey placed on UK red list

Could the deterioration of the health situation in Turkey have consequences on the arrival of the Formula 1 at Istanbul Park in early June?

The UK government added the country to the red list of at-risk nations on Friday. From May 12, people returning to or having transited through this destination within 10 days will have to observe a strict 10-day quarantine upon their return to British territory. 

This isolation must be carried out in hotels specifically selected by the authorities at the travelers' expense. This quarantine costs almost 2000 euros.  

The situation could prove problematic for the British contingent in the F1 paddock, which represents the majority of the troops with 7 out of 10 teams based in the United Kingdom. So far, F1 and promoters have managed to obtain waivers and other exemptions to slalom between travel restrictions but it is not certain that the British authorities will grant the same passes for countries placed on the red list. 

Portugal was part of it a few weeks ago but was withdrawn before F1 moved to Portimão (April 30 – May 2). 

The Turkish Grand Prix (June 11-13) replaces the Canadian Grand Prix this year, not because the health situation was more worrying than elsewhere in Montreal but because the organizers of the Quebec event failed to obtain necessary quarantine exemptions for F1 personnel. 

« We have noted the UK Government's announcements regarding travel restrictions for Turkey and are reviewing the situation, the FIA ​​and FOM, the commercial rights holder of F1, said in a joint statement. We will provide more details in the coming days ». 

The teams must travel to Turkey directly from Baku where the Azerbaijan GP took place the previous week (June 4-6).