The covid-19 pandemic is by no means over, but in Europe things are slowly beginning to return to normal. Ferrari instigated its ‘Back on Track’ initiative in early May, with the intention of getting the Maranello factory and the F1 race team up and running. Now, it has put into place the second stage of the initiative, which will focus on protecting the health of employees and suppliers working within the factory.
Ferrari has created a 1000m² tensile structure at the Fiorano test circuit, which lies adjacent to the factory, in which a team of doctors and health workers will test the family members of the 4000 people employed at Maranello, to keep abreast of potential cases of covid-19. The tests are entirely voluntary and will be carried out in seconds without the patient having to leave their car. A general bill of health will be the result, with further investigation able to be initiated with more detailed swabs.
It is estimated that this initiative, a further extension of Ferrari’s commitment to ongoing involvement in the local community., will see as many as 18,000 people tested. All information will be shared with the local health authority for data collection purposes, and to help curb the spread of covid-19.
Production and Racing Return
The Maranello factory has resumed production of Ferrari cars, and now all eyes are on Formula One, which has announced an initial 8-race European calendar. More races are expected to be added with season-closing rounds at Bahrain – which may run two races – and Abu Dhabi. The current calendar begins with two rounds on successive weekends at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, on July 5th and 12th, followed by round at the Hungaroring, Hungary, on the following weekend.Silverstone, in the UK, will host two rounds back to back in early August, then races in Spain, Belgium and at Ferrari’s home race at Monza on 6th September will also take place. It may be that Italy hosts more than one Grand Prix this season as both Imola, home of the San Marino Grand Prix, and Mugello – a Ferrari-owned circuit – are pitching for slots.
