The Austrian government approved on Saturday the plans of the Spielberg circuit to host the first two races of the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship on July 5 and then on 12, which has not even been able to start yet due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

“The organizer has presented a protocol that is based on the special requirements of the Formula 1 GP and the necessary protection measures against the spread of COVID-19,” Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said in a statement.

The races can be contested since the great prizes will be held behind closed doors, in order to avoid massive contagions. “It should not be considered as an event, but as a sports facility. Teams may enter the facilities to exercise their profession,” added the minister as a legal justification.

The 2020 Formula 1 World Cup did not start in mid-March in Australia, as planned, due to a pandemic that was inexorably spreading throughout the world. Pending its evolution, the president of Formula 1, Chase Carey announced in late April the intention that the season could be played from the beginning of July, starting in Austria, and the dispute of at least 15 races, compared to the 22 that were originally scheduled (record in the history of the F1 World Cup since its first season in 1950).

The Austrian Red Bull Ring got the government’s approval to light the F1 traffic light on July 5 and hold a second race on the 12th. In the absence of an official calendar, the great circuit could still be in Budapest, Hungary, while those responsible for the British Silverstone Circuit are also in negotiations to try to hold two races there.