Haas F1 team boss about GP Austria: "Advantage that Red Bull runs the circuit"

Guenther Steiner expects the 2020 Formula 1 season to start in three months. According to the Haas F1 team boss, the chance of an Austrian Grand Prix at the beginning of July is definitely there. Moreover, he expects that spectators will be admitted to race weekends in due course this year.

"Promised is not quite the right word", says Steiner when asked by presenter Rob Kamphues, or at the video conference with the Formula 1 team bosses by Liberty Media and the FOM, Liberty Media and FOM promised that it would be possible to race again soon. "I think good progress is being made, although there are still some things that need to be arranged. There is a good expectation that we will be able to drive in Austria at the beginning of July. The number of infections is decreasing there and Red Bull manages the circuit, so that makes it easier".

More clarity within three weeks

In the Formula 1 cafe the Italian has high hopes that in three months time we will be able to start again in the king's class of motorsport. "I think it is going to happen, but there are still some problems to be solved. For example, in terms of safety you have to make sure that everyone who is there is healthy. Formula 1 is working on that and if they have arranged that, they can hopefully announce it officially sometime in the next two or three weeks", is the expectation of the chief.

Through the broadcasts of the Netflix documentary Drive to Survive the team boss has become a very well-known person in the Netherlands. "I haven't been to Holland for a long time and I was looking forward to returning to Zandvoort. But no, I still haven't seen the episode. I don't like looking at myself."

Steiner is expecting five GPs before September

Steiner doesn't think the entire Formula 1 season will go on without an audience. "For some races I see that happen, but not the whole year. Where do all Max fans have to go then?", he wonders winkingly. "I think we'll have two Grands Prix in July, three in August maybe. Then we have a good start and maybe we can go to Asia because they will have the virus under control there", he concludes.