F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Szafnauer convinced F1 could have 'raced safely' in Melbourne

Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer believes in hindsight that F1 could have "raced safely" in Melbourne because the risks of the COVID-19 disease spreading in the paddock were low.

Organizers and F1 called off the Australian Grand Prix at the eleventh hour on the Friday following McLaren's withdrawal from the event the day before, when one of its staff tested positive for the coronavirus, and overnight talks with the team bosses.

Racing Point was one of three outfits along with Red Bull and AlphaTauri that was ready to go ahead and race despite the growing concerns.

"It was difficult to predict the future there in Melbourne, but when I look back at it now, had we raced, I think we would have raced safely," Szafnauer told CNN.

"The risk was very low, and I think we could have put the race on. The Australian government gave us the go-ahead to do so.

"However, there was a big unknown at the time, and because of the unknown, I think we made a cautious decision not to race."

Szafnauer revealed that the outcome of the meeting between F1, the organizers and the teams was initially positive, which led to him waking up on Friday morning believing the day would proceed as normal.

"On Thursday night at 1:30, 2 in the morning, we left the meeting, and at that point, the majority voted to race," explained the American.

"We went to bed, got up four hours later, and by the time I got to the paddock, everyone said: ‘We’re not racing’. I said: ‘Yes we are, it was only four hours ago we voted to race!’

"We took a risk-averse stance, and that was probably the right thing to do. However, looking back, had we raced, I think we would have done so safely."

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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.

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