Diplomatic barriers due to the pandemic prevented the driver from going to Japan
Between the 28th and 30th of August, the Motegi race track in Japan will host this weekend, the opening round of the 2020 season of the Super Formula. The more than 20 drivers in the category were extremely anxious for the start of the competition postponed since April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Excited by the start of the competition, the Brazilian driver Sérgio Sette Câmara was well prepared for it, where he will defend the colors of the Buzz Racing with B-Max team. Since the pre-season tests carried out at the Fuji racetrack, still in March, the driver has fulfilled a series of commitments at the team’s headquarters in Japan. In addition, in his role as an F1 reserve driver, he has followed the Alpha Tauri team in most of the World Championship races so far. Furthermore, at the beginning of the month, he competed in the last six stages of the FE World Championship when he demonstrated great evolution on board the GEOX Dragon team car.
After the Spanish round of the F1 Sette Câmara was ready to go to Japan for the opening of the Super Formula. However, the strict restrictions on access to foreigners in the country, due to the sanitary control barriers to COVID-19, prevented him from entering. Both the team in Japan, as well as the Brazilian consulate in Spain and even with the participation of the Foreign Ministry, tried to find a way so that his access was possible. Unfortunately, this morning, the last refusal was made by the Japanese authorities and, therefore, Sette Câmara will not be able to compete in the first stage of the Super Formula.
Faced with the new scenario, Sérgio is currently traveling towards Belgium where, on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, he will continue to develop his skills as a reserve and development driver for the Alpha Tauri and Red Bull Racing teams.
“Unfortunately, we are experiencing very difficult times around the world. Each country has its own protocols to fight the pandemic and it is not for us to judge whether they are correct or not. I am calm because I did everything possible to join the team in this first stage, but we really did not get the necessary visa. I am immensely grateful for the support I received from the Brazilian embassy in Spain, as well as the diplomats of the Itamaraty, who gave me all the support in this attempt that, unfortunately, ended up not happening,” explained.
The second stage of the Super Formula will be held at the Okayama Speedway, also in Japan. For this round, which will be between the 25th and 27th of September, Sette Câmara believes that he will be able to join the team as he will have time, including , to fulfill a possible quarantine on Japanese soil.
Photos: Publicity
Sergio Sette Câmara PR -> Quick Comunicação e Marketing