The COVID-19 pandemic took world sports by storm last year, and Formula 1 also had nowhere to hide from the impact.
The tier one motorsport championship saw multiple race postponements and cancellations, as well as a complete absence of crowds to comply with the safety protocols, hosting GPs with empty stands.
Now with global sports slowly taking the grip back to normalcy, a limited number of audiences are being allowed and F1’s new CEO Stefano Domenicali wants no more delay in getting the fans back beside the racetracks before the next season kicks off.
The desire for Formula 1 is still very great: Domenicali
A former CEO of Lamborghini, Stefano Domenicali took the helm of Formula 1 ahead of the 2021 season succeeding Chase Carey.
The ex team principal of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team, Domenicali was recently interviewed by Italian newspaper Il Giornale and was asked about the possibility of the two Italian rounds of the upcoming season opening its doors for spectators, and the answer was as affirmative as it gets.
“They are two fundamental rounds on the 2021 calendar,” Domenicali said, “we will just have to see what is the evolution of the pandemic in the coming months.”
“But the hope certainly is to be able to see a lot of people in the stands as soon as possible. The desire for Formula 1 is still very great.” (H/T SportsMole)
Domenicali says F1 and basketball are similar to sensitive issues
If not Formula 1, another sport that has often made headlines amid the pandemic was basketball, and Domenicali insists that both sports are very likewise when it comes to sensitive issues.
“I think F1 and basketball have shown the same sensitivity on issues that affect the lives of all of us,” the 55-year-old told Corriere della Sera.
Furthermore, the CEO also insisted that drivers have the responsibility to understand their role, be it in the F1 car or outside of it.
“…it’s important that each of them understands the importance of his role not only as a professional, but as a man who cares about what’s around him,” Domenicali added.
