Formula 1 has relaxed its action protocols against the coronavirus for the 2022 season. From now on, it is no longer necessary to present a negative PCR test to enter the paddock, although it is still recommended, as is the case with the rest of the measures that will be eliminated for the new year.
This was announced by the World Automobile Federation with a modified version of Annex S of the International Sporting Code, published on February 18. However, and as already announced at the end of 2021, these new freedoms described for those who enter the paddock are linked to a mandatory vaccination , which will only allow one exception.
Drivers, team managers, journalists and even prominent guests will need to be able to prove that they are “fully immunized” according to the rules imposed by their country of origin. For example, for Spanish paddock workers, this means they need the full schedule of approved vaccinations.
As in other settings, those who can show that they cannot receive the vaccines for medical reasons can apply for an exemption. In this case, they will be required to continue undergoing the PCR tests that were mandatory for everyone in 2020 and 2021, with the same time requirements as last season. They will have to present a negative result a maximum of 96 hours before entering and another 24 hours after accessing the paddock.
All those who are part of the competition, that is, including the teams, can freely decide how to handle matters related to the coronavirus. Only one restriction is placed on them, as Williams team boss Jost Capito explained: “Of course we have to follow the relevant local government regulations.”
Both the FIA and the FOM have been “really careful” during the last two years of the pandemic and have done a “fantastic job”, according to Capito. “They talk to the teams before making a decision. The cooperation and communication between the teams, the FOM and the FIA work very well,” he stressed.
Capito himself, who contracted the disease with mild symptoms at the end of 2019, has always remained on the side of caution when it comes to the coronavirus. In fact, he was one of the first in F1 to publicly request vaccination. Following his request, Formula 1 released a video with the drivers calling on fans to get vaccinated.
There are teams that seem to want to eliminate the mask requirement before the 2022 season begins, now that there seems to be a consensus in the public opinion about it. However, Capito continues to defend them: “If we want to take them, we can do it. For example, we do it in the factory.”
“Our internal regulations in the factories are currently stricter than those of the British government. I think it is very important because we have to make sure that there are no problems in production.”
“I think it’s absolutely right that teams be given a little bit of wiggle room on how they want to deal with the situation. But local rules have to be respected. That’s the right way to go,” Capito said.
