100,000 Spectators in Turkey
100,000 Spectators in Turkey
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realjv

Original Poster:

1,161 posts

182 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/turkish-gp-eyes...

I don't know what the covid situation is like in Turkey and whether this is good or bad idea but it got me thinking. How much control does F1 have over what the circuits/the promotors do in terms of spectators? I would assume they have absolute veto and can insist the race is held behind closed doors. However I wouldn't have thought F1 would want to be in a position of 'approving' a circuits spectator plan in any way due to the liability that would open up for them.

As a whole F1 can't afford to be associated with an event that results in an outbreak / spreading. Even if they themselves are not responsible for implementing protection measures they will be guilty by association.

anonymous-user

70 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
I’m not sure it matters either way.

Turkey got 25000 spectators the last time they raced in 2011, they only got 100k once ever, for the inaugural GP, thereafter the numbers tumbled.

I’d be surprised if they got anywhere close to 100k unless spectators are press ganged. There should be loads of room.

Shame really, it’s one of the better new tracks IMO.

kambites

69,819 posts

237 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
REALIST123 said:
I’m not sure it matters either way.

Turkey got 25000 spectators the last time they raced in 2011, they only got 100k once ever, for the inaugural GP, thereafter the numbers tumbled.

I’d be surprised if they got anywhere close to 100k unless spectators are press ganged. There should be loads of room.

Shame really, it’s one of the better new tracks IMO.
I guess that depends on how many people who otherwise would have gone to a different race will go there simply because it's the only GP allowing spectators this year.

Fundoreen

4,180 posts

99 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Monza has the fanatical tifosi that are always breaking in to the track and standing in the way of paying customers.
Should be interesting watching that unfold over the next weekend as the track is in the city.
Italy already has the start of rumblings to let spectators in to places like Mugello and Imola as well. Sends the wrong message.
They are not that interested in F1 in Turkey and the track is way out in the countryside.
Of course people always want to go where they are forbidden .
Hence the packed beaches in the UK at the first ambiguous message by the chimp pm.

TheDeuce

29,040 posts

82 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
I would assume that F1 are only responsible for who they bring and who the teams bring in order to 'put on the show' as it were. Up to the venue how they manage spectator numbers and safety surely?

As said - will they get the 100k? Probably not! And in any case with a concerted effort and some restrictions there is no reason they can't easily exceed the level of safety at supermarkets, shopping centres and so fourth.. Or pubs, many of which seem to be operating entirely as normal around here.. A couple of which have raised a few eyebrows. Most governments are keen for elite sports to get spectators back in to test the water and establish how guidance can be improved and get that part of the economy up and running. Here is our gov't take on it: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronav...

Can't really criticise the organisers if it goes awry if they've followed to the letter the guidance of their own government - I'm sure they will do just that in Turkey. I don't speak Turkish so god knows what their guidance is over there, but willing to bet it's about the same as over here..

thegreenhell

20,012 posts

235 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
Mugello next week will have limited spectators. They are opening three grandstands to a maximum of 1000 people in each.
Portimao have said they hope to have spectators, but I haven't seen confirmation yet.

Turkey is currently on the UK safe list to travel to without quarantine, but that status can change on a daily basis.

DanielSan

19,503 posts

183 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
The circuit have said they'd like to be able to have that many spectators if possible. They know that realistically it isn't possible not will it happen.

sgtBerbatov

2,597 posts

97 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
thegreenhell said:
Mugello next week will have limited spectators. They are opening three grandstands to a maximum of 1000 people in each.
Portimao have said they hope to have spectators, but I haven't seen confirmation yet.

Turkey is currently on the UK safe list to travel to without quarantine, but that status can change on a daily basis.
Well they're already talking about Portugal going back on the list. So anything could happen.

Chrisgr31

14,081 posts

271 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
The F1 teams are within a secure paddock, and the marshalls are in a secure track error.

So I guess they aren’t too concerned how many spectators there are as they won’t be in contact with the travelling part of the operation.

TheDeuce

29,040 posts

82 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
sgtBerbatov said:
thegreenhell said:
Mugello next week will have limited spectators. They are opening three grandstands to a maximum of 1000 people in each.
Portimao have said they hope to have spectators, but I haven't seen confirmation yet.

Turkey is currently on the UK safe list to travel to without quarantine, but that status can change on a daily basis.
Well they're already talking about Portugal going back on the list. So anything could happen.
Probably won't stop too many from booking - a slim chance of needing to quarantine upon return is annoying, sure - but people want to get places and do interesting things... I'm off to Greece in 2 weeks and whilst I have my fingers crossed I won't have to quarantine when I get back, it was never really a deterrent.

Lets see how the first spectator races go. I think the media will be pretty hot on it and it's entirely possible that some transference of the virus could be suggested in a handful of cases - but I'm really not thinking there is the potential for one infected person to turn up and it run through the stands like wildfire. People are generally taking basic steps to avoid infection and it's simple enough to boost those measures for a single race event and make it very tough for the virus to have any major impact. That's all the governments want after-all, they can't stop anyone getting it at some point right now, they just don't want 1000 people getting it in one place at one time.

Deesee

8,509 posts

99 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
The ticket prices start at 3.5 euro (yes three and a half euro)..

There will be plenty of people there.

StevieBee

14,279 posts

271 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
I've a long-term project on hold in North Cyprus which is looking like it might start up again in late September. That being the case, a two week stint there either side of race weekend for a short hop up to Istanbul for race day will do very nicely. You can (almost) walk from the airport to the track!).

When they put their mind to it, the Turks can do things rather well.

Munter

31,330 posts

257 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
Deesee said:
The ticket prices start at 3.5 euro (yes three and a half euro)..

There will be plenty of people there.
That depends doesn't it. I mean if you said tickets to some major cricket thing were £3.50, I still wouldn't be interested in buying one.

If the people who can afford to get there, just are not interested, then the ticket price doesn't matter.

TheDeuce

29,040 posts

82 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
Deesee said:
The ticket prices start at 3.5 euro (yes three and a half euro)..

There will be plenty of people there.
That seems crazy. I know they have to make it affordable to the average citizen... But c'mon. They have McDonald's in Turkey and they'll charge more than that for a meal!

Why not half the capacity and start the tickets at €10? They make more than double from the local crowd and half the risk of covid transmission...


Deesee

8,509 posts

99 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
TheDeuce said:
Deesee said:
The ticket prices start at 3.5 euro (yes three and a half euro)..

There will be plenty of people there.
That seems crazy. I know they have to make it affordable to the average citizen... But c'mon. They have McDonald's in Turkey and they'll charge more than that for a meal!

Why not half the capacity and start the tickets at €10? They make more than double from the local crowd and half the risk of covid transmission...
It’s less than 50% of capacity..

Let’s not start a Covid thread..

Deesee

8,509 posts

99 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
Munter said:
That depends doesn't it. I mean if you said tickets to some major cricket thing were £3.50, I still wouldn't be interested in buying one.
? Why not interested ? Don’t follow?

Fundoreen

4,180 posts

99 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
Did not realise they were meant to have spectators. Guess they are trying to kickstart tourism and the economy .
Seems suspiciously cheap. Would barely cover the admin costs.

StevieBee

14,279 posts

271 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2020
quotequote all
Fundoreen said:
Seems suspiciously cheap. Would barely cover the admin costs.
The Turks are a canny bunch.

Each person who attends will be buying beer and food from which the circuit will be taking a percentage. Hotels and flights will be needed. Plus many will go that wouldn't have otherwise who might quite like the experience, thus building demand for F1 to return on a firmer footing in the future.

Don't forget that Liberty are paying the circuits this year as well.

Deesee

8,509 posts

99 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2020
quotequote all
Just seen this for Mugello.. !


sgtBerbatov

2,597 posts

97 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2020
quotequote all
TheDeuce said:
sgtBerbatov said:
thegreenhell said:
Mugello next week will have limited spectators. They are opening three grandstands to a maximum of 1000 people in each.
Portimao have said they hope to have spectators, but I haven't seen confirmation yet.

Turkey is currently on the UK safe list to travel to without quarantine, but that status can change on a daily basis.
Well they're already talking about Portugal going back on the list. So anything could happen.
Probably won't stop too many from booking - a slim chance of needing to quarantine upon return is annoying, sure - but people want to get places and do interesting things... I'm off to Greece in 2 weeks and whilst I have my fingers crossed I won't have to quarantine when I get back, it was never really a deterrent.

Lets see how the first spectator races go. I think the media will be pretty hot on it and it's entirely possible that some transference of the virus could be suggested in a handful of cases - but I'm really not thinking there is the potential for one infected person to turn up and it run through the stands like wildfire. People are generally taking basic steps to avoid infection and it's simple enough to boost those measures for a single race event and make it very tough for the virus to have any major impact. That's all the governments want after-all, they can't stop anyone getting it at some point right now, they just don't want 1000 people getting it in one place at one time.
I was thinking more of the teams more than anything. Although you're right. I would wonder how many who are going would quarantine themselves anyway. But that's by the by.