Marko: "A GP in Austria would have an invaluable advertising effect"

The start of the Formula 1 season has been a long time coming, and the expectations are that no Grands Prix will be held in June either. After the Grand Prix in Canada had already been postponed, it now becomes more and more clear that a race in France will be difficult. Helmut Marko, advisor of Red Bull Racing, thinks that a Grand Prix, even with the corona virus, can be organized.

"If there is going to be a Grand Prix in the near future, it will only be possible under the strictest conditions", Marko tells Speedweek. According to the Austrian it is clear under which condition a Grand Prix has to meet. "The F1 staff must be tested every four days, or all must be quarantined for two weeks."

Great marketing value

Marko expects that organizing a physical Grand Prix will bring many advantages. "A race in Austria would be the first major international event that would not take place digitally. For Formula 1 all this is very important too". Large events are now forbidden in Austria, so it remains to be seen whether the Grand Prix in Spielberg will actually take place.

Marko thinks that the publicity created by organising a Grand Prix is invaluable. "Because nothing else is happening in the world, all pictures of Spielberg and Austria as a tourist country are going around the world. That would give an invaluable advertising effect," says Marko.