F1 News
Marko sees option: "Then we can have two races in one weekend"
- GPblog.com
Helmut Marko does not know if the home-Grand Prix of Red Bull Racing can continue on the originally planned date. Furthermore, the top man of the Austrian team is of the opinion that it should be possible to have two races in one weekend in Formula 1 this season.
"Right now you would have to be clairvoyant to be able to make a correct prediction," says Marko in conversation with the ORF television station. As far as the Austrian medium is concerned, Red Bull's advisor does not dare say anything about whether or not the Austrian Grand Prix will go ahead.
Marko secretly hopes for GP's with an audience
"I can't judge whether 50,000 or 100,000 spectators would make a difference", the 76-year-old Austrian continues his story. "However, it is crucial that all European borders are reopened, because at such an international event the spectators come from all over the world. And the extent to which the virus can be brought under control in individual countries is difficult to assess," he explains.
Formula 1 is currently considering an extension of the season until January, and that doesn't exclude two-day Grands Prix. Marko even goes a step further. "If we want to have two races in one weekend, you have to choose an attractive circuit where there are a lot of overtaking manoeuvres", says the man from Graz, who also calls a GP weekend with only a Saturday and Sunday 'meaningful'. "Due to the current tyre restrictions, no one rides on a Friday when it rains. And that's possible. It will be even more exciting because you can't try everything. There are more variables in the game then", Marko seems to like the plan.
Costs winter tests comparable to one GP
For Red Bull it is also no problem at all to scrap the winter tests of 2021. They will still be driving exactly the same cars next season. "The tyres will also remain the same. The cost of the test is about comparable to a race weekend", Marko concludes.