Prior to the season, Formula 1 and the various organisers of the Grands Prix put the emphasis on safety with regard to the coronavirus. Nothing would be left to chance. Nevertheless, here and there they made it easy, something that has caused indignation among the Marshals in England.
Last month the marshals were informed in writing that all personnel for the Grand Prix of Great Britain would be tested on COVID-19. Now that the event is coming up, this does not appear to be the case. Only the marshals who come to the paddock will be tested, of the rest only the temperature will be measured at the entrance of the circuit.
Is F1 hypocritical?
"I feel lied to to be honest", says one of them to The Guardian. "30 or 40 percent of the marshals feel that something is not right and are not very happy. We feel like second-class citizens. Because we're not in direct contact with the teams, we reallly don't matter."
Especially the fact that since this season the Formula 1 preaches unity with the 'We Race as One' slogan, bumps into the chest of the Marshals. "We were very much supporting it. This is a slap in the face given the time, effort and money we put in to marshalling all year, every year.. It makes us feel unwanted or just just a necessary evil."