Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says he’s “very proud” that the 2020 Formula 1 season will finally get underway with a double-header Austrian Grand Prix.
The season has been on hold since the coronavirus pandemic saw the original season-opening Australian GP called-off at the last-minute, but there are now plans to start racing again in Austria in July, some four months later.
Wolff, who was born in Austria and spent much of his early career at the Spielberg circuit, says he’s “excited” and “proud” it will play host to the first race.
“I’m pretty optimistic that we can start in Austria because Austria has been one of the best countries in keeping the virus numbers low and I think they will come up with a plan of how we can race,” he said in a Mercedes video.
“I know the circuit extremely well, because I did a thousand laps there as a racing driver and as an instructor. I lived in Spielberg whilst being a junior driver. It feels a little bit like a second home. I love Styria and have many fond memories from the place.
“Starting the season there makes me very proud, that Austria will be the season opener, and doing it on two consecutive weekends so that finally we get two races done. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Wolff also believes the way the team works in the future will be permanently changed by the current situation, after being forced to conduct more meetings virtually.
“We have a great task force in MGP which is structuring the life after corona, social distancing, moving desks and work places around. So it will be very different.
“I think what we have learnt is we can do a lot from home, Zoom conferences or Skype or Webex are very efficient, so I think that’s going to change in our work environment.
“Then of course we are planning the next races and hopefully getting the season started soon.”
