On the night of March 12, the organizers of the Australian Grand Prix 2020 announced the official cancellation of this opening race after a member of the McLaren Racing team tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19). According to Australian media, the 7 others who had close contact with the McLaren team member have been tested and received a negative result. In addition, there is still one individual from another F1 team awaiting test results.
Below is the official statement agreed upon by the FIA, F1, and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation:
“After confirming that a member of the McLaren Racing team tested positive for Covid-19 and deciding to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix, F1 and FIA organized a meeting with the leaders of the other nine teams on Thursday night (March 12). The discussions all reached a common consensus that the race should not go ahead. Therefore, F1 and FIA, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC), have made the decision to cancel all activities of the F1 race in Australia.”
“We believe this is very sad news for the thousands of fans who traveled to Australia to attend the race and all ticket holders will receive a full refund.”
“All parties involved have carefully considered the efforts of AGPC, Motorsport Australia, staff, and volunteers in organizing the opening race of the F1 World Championship 2020 season in Melbourne. However, the safety of all members of the F1 family and the community is paramount.”
In fact, just before the official announcement of the cancellation of the F1 race in Australia, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel and Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen took flights back to their respective countries. Meanwhile, after a team member tested positive for Covid-19, the McLaren team also announced their withdrawal from this opening race.
The cancellation of the F1 race in Australia and the complicated situation of the Covid-19 pandemic worldwide have raised concerns about whether the F1 race in Hanoi, scheduled to take place on April 3-5, will suffer the same fate. Currently, all organizing work is almost complete.
Trang Nguyen (forum.autodaily.vn)
