The air is more serene. The first sign that confirms a long-awaited process of returning to normality is the space once again free at the entrance to the turnstiles, a crucial junction where all professionals must pass through to enter the paddock.
Last year, as well as in 2020, three containers were set up at that point for covid-tests that no one could escape. The procedure has now been made optional, with strong advice to resort to the test in the event of an unusual state of form.
Net of the measures in place in the host country, Formula 1 requires only triple vaccination for entry into the paddock, an important step forward.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
The insiders who work in the paddock do not wear the masks rigidly, it is necessary to do it when you do not keep the distance of one meter, but otherwise you can walk quietly without running the risk of breaking the protocol.
Hospitality is once again frequented on average, by guests and by those who carry out marketing activities, and some media activities have returned to being ‘vis-à-vis’, albeit with a safe distance.
Ralph Schumacher is the presenter of Sky Sports
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
But not everyone has let their guard down a bit, and at the top of the list of those who have maintained absolute safety margins are the pilots. We are talking about athletes in excellent physical shape, probably among the subjects least exposed to consequences related to positivity, yet they are all obsessively careful in taking all precautions in order to avoid contagion.
More than the fear of the virus itself, what keeps the drivers under pressure is the fear of finding themselves out of one or more Grand Prix, the scenario that every owner experiences as a nightmare.
There are no exceptions on this front: for every driver in the world, and in all categories, the prospect of seeing a substitute behind the wheel of ‘his’ car is a real drama, and the proof comes from the protocol that Formula 1 observe rigidly.
The teams have not completely abolished the covid-tests, each team, in a different form, continues with its own program of personnel monitoring, but as regards the drivers, the rules still remain strict.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
In this context, the news of Vettel’s positivity has shaken many other riders, already alerted by the infection of Ricciardo which occurred last week.
“Although things are slowly returning to normal – confirmed Leclerc – there are still some precautions we must take. We must be cautious and very careful, because Covid did not disappear overnight. If you test positive, you can’t run, and it’s a very high price to pay. It’s something we think about, and it still leads us to be very, very careful ”.
Even private flights do not seem to be a guarantee of absolute safety. In 2020 both Perez and Stroll had tested positive after a transfer to non-scheduled jets, a precaution also taken by Hamilton (also in 2020) and by Raikkonen last year, but which did not protect them from contagion.
Nico Hulkenberg, Aston Martin reserve driver who will replace Vettel in Bahrain
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Sebastian tested positive in the days following the tests, after returning home to Switzerland, and did not leave for Bahrain. Aston Martin summoned Nico Hulkenberg in extremis, expected in Manama at midnight today and very soon on the track tomorrow morning, where he will have to adapt the pedals of Vettel’s car to his size. A very difficult undertaking will then begin for the German, that is to speed up the stages to familiarize himself with the car as soon as possible.
For Aston Martin it is one more problem, but not of vital importance. For a top team, losing for one or more races its top driver is a nightmare scenario, something to be avoided in the most absolute way.
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, at the press conference
Photo by: FIA Pool
So far the drivers fighting for the world championship have been good and lucky not to have to desert a race, but the teams know they live with this risk. For this reason, the top drivers in the paddock are also followed at a distance by team personnel who, with a careful eye, check that there are no close encounters with professionals without safety measures.
All without the anxiety of the past two seasons, but always with great attention. Each covid-test is always a cause for apprehension for everyone, a stress that involves all the professionals but especially the pilots. For them, any positivity could be fatal in order to achieve seasonal goals.
#open #paddock #riders #fear #COVID