F1 set to use track and trace app for personnel

Formula 1 teams are set to use a track and trace app in order to monitor personnel in the event that a positive coronavirus test is returned.

All Formula 1 personnel involved in a grand prix weekend must be tested for Covid-19 prior to travelling and must then undertake a test every two days.

Travel and accommodation has been arranged in order to reduce the risk both to grand prix personnel and the local population, while teams will not be permitted to interact with each other.

Social distancing, and the use of Personal Protective Equipment [PPE], will be practiced where possible.

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Other sports have adopted a similar approach, with the English Premier League – which resumed its 2019/20 season on Wednesday – returning just one positive case across 1,541 tests undertaken earlier this week.

Formula 1’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix was cancelled after a McLaren team member tested positive, while several other personnel self-isolated as a precaution.

Formula 1 has since implemented measures and new guidelines will be in place when the delayed 2020 season begins with events in Austria and Hungary.

“There will be an app, which we haven’t seen yet, so we can monitor the situation of who the infected person was in contact with,” said Haas boss Guenther Steiner on the proposal.

“There’s protocols in place so you can really see who was in contact with. If the app is not used they need to tell us who they contact.

“They are fitted up in bubbles, so maybe six people have to go out of the paddock and be replaced by new people. If there is too many I think the protocol is that team doesn’t participate in the race.”

Steiner added that in the event of a substantial number of personnel being sidelined Haas “have got some people on standby in the factory, who are tested, who could go at any time.

“They are prepared and tested and ready to go if needed. But we are not taking them there otherwise they would end up sitting in their bed.”