The shutdown for Formula 1 teams and engine manufacturers has been extended into June, just weeks before the mooted start of the 2020 season.
Teams must now observe 63 consecutive days of shutdown, through to June at the latest, as F1’s protective measures in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis continue.
After 50 days each competitor may use a maximum of 10 personnel to work remotely on “long lead time projects”.
This will require the prior written approval of the FIA, and teams must supply full details including names, job titles, supporting material and details of the work that will be undertaken.
This information must be supplied at least 10 days before work begins.
Chosen personnel must not change for the remainder of the shutdown period and their tasks must not involve any work on projects related to the aerodynamics of the car.
For engine manufacturers, the 35-day shutdown period has been extended to 49 days.
As with the teams, after a period of time – 36 days – 10 staff members may work remotely on long lead time projects.
Teams began their original shutdown periods, which were brought forward from August, as early as the end of March.
Those that did will be free to resume work at the end of May, but some will remain under shutdown conditions until the start of June.
This would be just weeks before teams travel to the planned first round of the championship in Austria, scheduled for July 3-5.
Several teams have stated they need four to five weeks to prepare for the season starting, which means there should be enough time, barring exceptional circumstances.
The early, extended shutdown has been universally viewed as the only responsible action for F1 at a time when no revenue is being earned due to a lack of racing.
It reduces spending with only non-F1 activities, such as technical assistance on projects to combat COVID-19, allowed.
