Amnesty International protests against the Saudi GP

And then: that’s all for today!

Thanks for your attention so far. This is where our Formula 1 daily ticker ends this Wednesday, but will continue tomorrow morning. And with all this finished by Stefan Ehlen – see you soon!

The race in Saudi Arabia

Here are some more background to the planned city run in Saudi Arabia. The second largest city, Jeddah, was chosen as the location. You can read more details about this in this post!

It was the same in the past

If you think Amnesty International is targeting Formula 1 for the first time, then you are wrong: the organization has been sending out protest notes for years, regularly referring to races in the Arab Gulf states, so far Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. Bahrain has been driving since 2004 and Abu Dhabi since 2009.

It will now be exciting to see if Formula 1 reacts in any way to this new statement. Finally, the Formula 1 #WeRaceAsOne campaign was launched at the start of the season. Then, in June 2020, it said, among other things: “[Die Kampagne] it will underline Formula 1’s strategy of making a real difference in our sport and society. “

For Formula 1, series boss Chase Carey said, it’s now a “point in time”. [gekommen]where problems that are bigger than a sport or a country should be recognized “.

Amnesty International protests against F1 calendars

Now we have to change the subject quite abruptly, back to the 2021 Formula 1 racing calendar, which is already a draft. E: Amnesty International – an organization that campaigns for human rights around the world – has now protested against it. Specifically: against the planned race in Saudi Arabia.

An Amnesty statement states: “A Grand Prix would help wipe out the country’s shameful human rights record through sporting events.” The government in Saudi Arabia is trying to polish its reputation.

Amnesty International therefore asks: “If the race really takes place, Formula 1 should at least insist that all supplier contracts strictly comply with labor standards. And that all racing events are accessible to all, without discrimination.”

Also, “all drivers, owners and Formula 1 teams” are encouraged to “talk about the human rights situation in”. [Saudi-Arabien] speak”.

Speaking of favorites

Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen. These three drivers were just the topic here in the live ticker. How appropriate: because they are the only three Formula 1 protagonists who can still become world champions this year, at least in mathematical terms.

A look at the current interim results of the World Cup also says: The title is virtually impossible to take away from Hamilton. Chances are good that he will clear everything up before the last race in Abu Dhabi.

For the sake of completeness: in the constructors’ classification the decision will probably already be taken at Imola.

Max Verstappen thinks very similarly

No, Valtteri Bottas is not frustrated because Lewis Hamilton leads from one success to the next and usually only comes second. And apparently Max Verstappen can come to terms with that too. “You have to accept your situation or you will become a bitter person,” says Verstappen.

“Of course: everyone loves to win. That’s why we do everything. But if it’s not possible, it’s not possible”.

Motorsport is also at least partly a “matter of luck”, says Verstappen, explaining that it is also important to “be in the right team at the right time”. But don’t despair. “I still have a few years to go. I hope things will change!”

And who is the favorite?

Short answer: Mercedes. A little more detailed answer: Lewis Hamilton.

But, of course, there is also his teammate Valtteri Bottas, who continues to say he doesn’t want to give up. Hamilton’s success is “a motivation” for him, says Bottas. “I don’t want it to be easy. It’s the biggest motivation to beat him. It’s difficult, but possible, and that’s what matters.”

Video: The current Imola

Ferrari occasionally drives its old Formula 1 cars to Imola. It was on such an occasion that these recordings aboard the F2007 were made with test driver Marc Gene. So take a look at what Imola looks like now. But: please don’t be alarmed in the third sector …

The Imola of yesteryear …

… is no longer available today. After the last Formula 1 race to date, the track has been closed for months. The old pit building was demolished and replaced with a new one, and the track itself was also redesigned. You can find the images here:

And then of course there was …

… the race of which many still go today: Imola 2005. Fernando Alonso at Renault against Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, a gigantic duel!

And here you can do a little time travel again:

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Photo gallery: Imola 2005: Alonso’s lesson for Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher puts himself in a bad starting position at Imola 2005: due to a driving error in the second qualifying, the Ferrari driver finished only 14th and has a lot of work to do at the start.

Photo gallery

Now Imola is still a “former” Formula 1 track, but …

… this changes over the weekend. So let’s take the chance and take a look at what other former Formula 1 tracks have become. You’ll be surprised …

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Photo gallery: what happened to the old Formula 1 tracks?

The Formula 1 calendar has changed a lot over the past 20 years. Many ways have come, many have gone. Another race in the premier class is the farewell to Malaysia for the 2018 season. But what happened to the many other former Formula 1 courses? We provide an overview.

Photo gallery

Imola wanted to obtain a special permit

The route manager of Imola Uberto Selvatico Estense told his colleague Adam Cooper he said he went out of his way to have spectators on site over the weekend. “President [der Region Emilia-Romagna] spoke today with the Minister of Health. But they refused to make an exception. “

Given the short-term nature of the event, “it’s not easy to explain to fans that the government has changed its mind,” said the track director. “A week ago the authorities said it was fine to have fans on the track. That’s why we spent a lot of money again to get ready. And now, four days before the start of the season. There isn’t much time to tell people not to to come “.

Stelvatico Estense has also stated that it will refund tickets already purchased. In fact, Imola wanted to allow about 13,000 fans to race.

That’s how long ago the last race in Imola

Just to pick up on the idea right now and clarify: Imola 2006, a long time ago.

McLaren driver Lando Norris simply says: “When Formula 1 last drove in Imola, I was only six!”

But don’t worry: Norris already knows Imola from the youth series. “Great path,” he says. “I’m really excited to see how you can drive in a Formula 1 car.”

Mercedes: In Imola it is valid from the beginning

Only a 90-minute free practice session, then qualifying: this is the special challenge for the Imola teams in the single and reduced weekend format. Mercedes sporting director Toto Wolff says: “We are hiring an intense training session in which the teams will drive as much as possible to better prepare for qualifying and the race. To take full advantage of their competitiveness for qualifying and the race. “.

So it could be a lively free practice session, especially since Imola was last driven by Formula 1 in 2006. That was a long time ago …

First reaction of the track manager

In reality, the boss of the Imola circuit Uberto Selvatico Estense wanted to celebrate the return of Formula 1 with almost 13,000 fans on site, but nothing will come of it. my colleague Adam Cooper joined him for comment. And the first words of Selvatico Estense say a lot. They are: “Damn shit!”

Because it means that Imola’s concept of hygiene, on which a lot of preparatory work has been invested, is also obsolete: a total of 1,000 fans should have formed a “bubble”, including their own big screen in front of the corresponding stands, food and toilets , plus a separate access rail.

Formula 1 statement

Questioned, a Formula 1 spokesman has just confirmed that Imola will have to do without fans. His statement: “We had hoped to be able to drive in front of the spectators this weekend. But we understand the decision of the authorities and we can understand them. We hope that our fans enjoy the race anyway and from home.”

Formula Imola, the company behind the racetrack, is now trying to find a solution for ticket holders who can’t redeem their tickets after all. It is still unclear if the card money will be refunded or if there will be vouchers or other refunds, for example.