F1 track in Mexico converted into drive-in cinema by government to lift morale of people

Formula One (F1) season saw massive changes this year amidst COVID-19 pandemic. F1 season was scheduled to begin in March but was postponed for three months before season's start in Austria earlier in July. Unlike usual F1 championship, current season will be truncated due to global health crisis, with travelling and environmental bubble measures adopted to contain th spread of virus. With growing number of Mexico corona cases, Mexico City Grand Prix was cancelled in July. With Grand Prix cancelled,  Mexico City government has turned its F1 racing track into a drive-in cinema. 

Also Read: Formula 1 news: Lewis Hamilton Slams 'igrant' Mario Andretti, Sir Jackie Stewart Over Anti-racism views

Formula 1 news: F1 racing track converted into a drive-in cinema despite rising Mexico corona cases

According to a report by Inside Sport,  Autódromo Hermas Rodríguez has been turned into a drive-in cinema by Mexico City government after Mexico City Grand Prix was cancelled this year. Due to rising number of Mexico corona cases, drive-in cinema allows film lovers to maintain social distancing while enjoying exclusively Mexican films. F1 racing track turned cinema hall will open be every Sunday and Wednesday until August 19, and can accommodate 415 vehicles. Drive-in cinemas first arrived in Mexico in 1950s but gradually lost ir popularity and disappeared from scene, however, COVID-19 pandemic has revived tradition.  

Also Read: Formula 1 news: F1 Would 'support' Drivers Who Wish To Come Out As Gay Says W Series' Sarah Moore

Juan Manuel Bedwell, a veteran accountant, left home isolation to go back to a drive-in cinema for first time in four decades, to watch 2013 Mexican film “ Last Call,” a comedy based on “Caligula,” a play by Frenchman Albert Camus with his three kids and grandchildren. Bedwell told AFP that pandemic was something that body expected and aid that if people stay more locked up, y'll get depressed. Argel Gomez, Big Festivals director at Mexico City culture secretariat, said that drive-in cinemas have big potential due to need for a new rmal'. Ernesto Contreras, a director and former president of Mexico’s cinematography Academy, says that drive-through movie atre is 'a reason to celebrate' and he believes it will be a huge boost to Mexico’s film industry.

Also Read: Formula 1 news: Lewis Hamilton Lashes Out At F1 Rivals After Failed Black Lives Matter Tribute In Hungary

drive-in cinema is t first that F1 racing track at Autódromo Hermas Rodríguez has been turned into a venue to host cultural events. Mexico's biggest music festivals are also posted at venue. F1 venue also served as a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients. venue last hosted a Grand Prix in 2019, which was won by Lewis hamilton. Mexico is fourth worst-hit country in world by COVID-19 outbreak with more than 43,000 deaths, and sixth in number of cases with over 390,000 infections among its 127 million population. 

Also Read: Formula 1 news: F1 Cancels 4 More Races For 2020, Adds 3 To Calendar

(Im Courtesy: Mexican Grand Prix Twitter)