Formula 1 will use radio-controlled trollies to maintain social distancing during the podium ceremony – with the system making its debut during Saturday’s Formula 2 podium celebrations.
Last weekend during the Austrian Grand Prix, drivers had to walk up and collect their trophies before returning to their plinths, which were situation on the start/finish straight.
The ceremony wasn’t very ‘F1’, but was put in place quickly because of the need to maintain social distancing under COVID-19 protocols.
A new system will be in place for this weekend’s Styrian GP – also at the Red Bull Ring – with a new podium featuring a sponsor backdrop, but more intriguingly, the trophies will be delivered robotically.
Four remote-controlled trollies were used to hand the two winners’, second-place and third-place trophies during the F2 presentation and they will also be used during Sunday’s F1 podium celebration.
