F1: Australian GP canceled by coronavirus

After many hours of tense waiting in Melbourne, a statement confirms the cancellation of the first race of the championship.

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The International Federation (FIA), Formula 1 and the promoter of the Australian GP canceled this Friday the first race of the 2020 World Cup, scheduled for Sunday at Albert Park. After listening to the representatives of the teams and the Australian health authorities, it was decided to postpone the grand prize, splashed in the last hours by the positive for coronavirus from a member of the McLaren team.

In the early hours of Friday, shortly before the scheduled start of the first free practice, an official document confirmed what since Thursday was taken for granted in the paddock. “The safety of all members of the F1 family and the fairness of the competition now have priority,” the joint statement revealed.

“This is very disappointing news for thousands of fans. All ticket holders will receive a full refund and a new announcement will be communicated in due course,” added the letter, which came to light after the aforementioned meeting in a hotel in Melbourne with representatives of the nine teams on the grid.

“Public Health Imperatives”

Likewise, on Friday morning, the Prime Minister of the State of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, had prohibited the fans from accessing Albert Park due to “public health imperatives”. Previously, tests had been carried out on nine members of the usual Grand Circus caravan, which brings together almost 2,500 people. Seven of the samples were negative, one remains pending evolution and another was positive from the Woking squad employee.

The pinnacle of motorsport thus becomes the last major event to surrender to the global pandemic, which had already led the Champions League, NBA, MotoGP or LaLiga.

The suspension increases questions about the future of the championship, with an initial schedule of 21 races. However, the Bahrain GP, ​​scheduled for March 29, is now on the wing due to the Covid-19, which a few weeks ago had already caused the suspension of the Chinese GP. Doubts also assault the Vietnam GP, which this year premiered at the World Cup and scheduled for April 5 in Hanoi.