On the evening of March 12, the organizers of the Australian Grand Prix 2020 made an official announcement canceling the opening race due to a positive Covid-19 test result from a member of the McLaren Racing team. According to Australian media, the seven individuals who had close contact with the McLaren team member have tested negative. Additionally, there is another person from a different F1 team awaiting test results.
Below is the joint official statement from 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 unanimously concluded that the race should not proceed. Consequently, F1 and FIA, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC), have decided to cancel all F1 race activities in Australia.”
“We understand that this news is extremely disappointing for the fans who traveled to Australia for the race, and we assure all ticket holders that they will receive a full refund.”
“All parties involved have taken into careful consideration the tremendous efforts of AGPC, Motorsport Australia, staff, and volunteers in organizing the opening race of the 2020 F1 World Championship season in Melbourne. However, the safety and well-being of all members of the F1 community and the wider public are of utmost importance.”
In fact, just prior to the official announcement of the cancellation, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel and Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen had already flown back to their respective countries. Additionally, following the positive Covid-19 test result within the McLaren team, they announced their withdrawal from the opening race.
The cancelation of the Australian Grand Prix and the global complexity of the Covid-19 pandemic have raised concerns about whether the upcoming F1 race in Hanoi, scheduled for April 3-5, will face a similar fate. Currently, all preparations for the event are almost complete.
Trang Nguyen (forum.autodaily.vn)
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