F1 thinks it can manage the appearance of positive Covid-19 cases in the paddock

The governing bodies of the Formula 1 are working to relaunch a 2020 season that was abruptly interrupted less than two hours before the first free practice sessions for the Australian Prix after the discovery of a positive case of Coronavirus within the team McLaren.

While the competition is due to resume in Austria on July 5, the FOM and the FIA ​​are working to the transformation of the paddock into a health bubble where all F1 personnel would have been tested beforehand and would be tested at regular intervals once on site. The teams would also not be allowed to mix, either at the circuit or at the hotel. 

The total absence of contamination is, however, not guaranteed given the particularly virulent nature of COVID-19. What to do if one or more screenings turn out to be positive? Another last minute cancellation would be bad. 

Professor Gérard Saillant believes that F1 could manage the situation on a strictly medical level if an outbreak were to break out. 

« Since Melbourne, our knowledge of the virus has evolved, declared the president of the FIA ​​medical commission to Sky Sports. It is possible to prevent and anticipate many things. If one case, even 10, occurs, we can manage things perfectly with a very precise action plan for each infected person.

From a medical point of view, this is not a problem. Whether it is a track marshal or (Lewis) Hamilton, it's the same thing ». 

Professor Saillant nevertheless questions the image that the sport would project by maintaining a race after the discovery of people carrying the Coronavirus in the paddock. 

« Media impact is another story, recognizes the one who is president and founding member of the Brain and Spinal Cord Institute (ICM). We must try to anticipate this, to set a red line not to be crossed ». 

The Austrian authorities have already warned that the holding of a Formula 1 Grand Prix will be subject to validation of the health system put in place at Red Bull ring.