Marko: Red Bull Ring could be 'unlocked' overnight

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The Austrian Grand Prix remains in jeopardy amid the coronavirus crisis, but Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko insists the event's organizers have time on their side thanks to a venue whose track can be "unlocked overnight".

So far, Formula 1 has cancelled the first eight races of the 2020 season.

Next in line to kick off the year, the Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal is hanging by a thread while Paul Ricard is just as uncertain.

Pushing out to the first week of July and to the eleventh race on the calendar, Austria's Red Bull Ring is moving ahead with its planned event.

But even if the country's health situation vastly improves by the early summer, it won't necessarily pave the way for F1 to finally fire up its engines in Spielberg.

Silverstone boss says venue could host multiple F1 races

"You have to wait and see, we are not alone in the world," Marko told Motorsport-Magazin.

"In that case, we could organize it, but it wouldn't help if travel restrictions in the rest of Europe are such that no one could enter without being quarantined.

"The situation is generally better, but neither a cancellation or a confirmation is possible at the moment."

However, Marko said the Austrian Grand Prix's organization can afford to delay for as late as possible its decision to confirm or call off its event

"This is the advantage of the Red Bull Ring: it's a permanent system that can be unlocked overnight," explained the Austrian.

"There are already many tickets that have been sold. But first you have to know if there will be a race, and if so, will it take place with spectators or not.

"These are all questions that are currently completely open."

Silverstone, which is scheduled to host the British Grand Prix on July 19, has suggested that it could organize multiple F1 rounds if necessary.

Marko believes the Red Bull Ring could do the same.

"The possibility is there because we have a ready-to-use system," he said.

"It's a matter of negotiation with Liberty, but it would also depend on how things would be in the rest of Europe."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.