Mr A. Trialist

With the end of the pandemic now in sight, are big celebrations at Christmas really worth the risk?  This Christmas, families across the UK will be able to meet for five days, without social distancing. The Government’s assessments suggest that Christmas will lead to an increase in transmission of the virus so why are they going ahead with these plans?  The brutal reality is many people will lose their lives as a direct result of Christmas celebrations. The mental impact on those who unwittingly pass the virus onto vulnerable family members will be huge. The risk is particularly troublesome given the real prospect of vaccines on the horizon; it is even possible that we could see a return to normality by Easter. It would be particularly heart breaking to lose a loved one when the end of the pandemic is within sight.  The Christmas measures will heap more pressure onto the NHS at what is, even in normal circumstances, the busiest time of the year. January and February are t...

Reorganising the packed Formula 1 calendar is the single most effective way the sport can cut down its carbon footprint.  Formula 1 has a carbon problem. In 2018 alone the sport was responsible for carbon emissions of 256,551 tonnes. Travel produces the overwhelming majority of the sport's carbon emissions, 72.7% in 2018. Logistics like transporting cars, parts and equipment contributed 45%, transporting personnel contributed a further 27.7%.  The record-breaking 23 race 2021 calendar brings the issue of travel into sharp focus. Measured point to point from each racetrack the combined distance the sport will travel in 2021 is around 62,500 miles. It will be covered by ten different teams, each transporting between 50 and 100 tonnes of equipment and up to 600 members of staff. The calculated distance ignores the currently unconfirmed race week 4, testing and travel from the factories, meaning the actual distance is much higher.  The order of the calendar is a serious issue...