"We expect to have to bring 65 staff to Austria"

Franz Tost does not yet know exactly how his team will go to Austria when the Formula 1 season of 2020 starts at the beginning of July. According to the team boss of AlphaTauri this is one of the points that the FIA is investigating together with FOM and Liberty Media. Tost thinks he will have to take some 65 men to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

Travelling together with Ferrari

"When it comes to travel, there is hope that the roads can be used again in July", Tost kicks off at the German Speedweek.com. Should that not be the case, then according to the 64-year-old chief a chartered plane is the other option. "If it can't be otherwise, we can do that together with the staff of Ferrari. But due to all travel bans and border closures we have to wait and see if that's possible."

However, due to the still prevailing coronavirus, there is still little clear about the movement of people and goods in the near weeks and even months. "This is exactly one of the reasons why we are currently able to present so little concrete. I hope that enough time has passed in July, that the borders are open again," Tost adds.

Personnel from AlphaTauri and Ferrari come from Italy to Austria, but the majority of Formula 1 teams are based in Great Britain. "They could take a charter plane and land in Zeltweg or Graz. I assume that travelling professionals have to submit a health certificate", the former driver thinks aloud.

AlphaTauri expects to have to take around 65 with them.

But how many employees have to be present on site during a Grand Prix to function properly? "We discuss this without committing ourselves to specific numbers. We would limit ourselves to those specialists who are absolutely necessary for the use of the car," says Tost, who states that staff from the marketing and media departments will probably be able to stay at home. "At AlphaTauri, we would be able to make ends meet with 60 to 65 people."