Coronavirus: Grand Prix on track to start

Italian Formula One racing teams have started arriving in Melbourne, allaying fears the international event could be ­derailed by coronavirus.

Victoria Sport Minister Martin Pakula said, ‘It’s been a challenging build-up but everything is in place to deliver a great event for Victoria’. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Italian Formula One racing teams have started arriving in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, allaying fears the international event could be ­derailed by coronavirus.

Members of the Ferrari team were understood to have flown into Melbourne on Sunday, where they underwent new screening procedures announced last week.

Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto at the F1 Winter Testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in February. Picture: Getty Images

Airfreight from the team, which is headquartered in the northern Italian town of Maranello, also ­arrived at Avalon airport and was due to be transferred to the Albert Park racetrack on Monday.

The arrivals will be met with a sign of relief from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the state government and racing fans, given fears next Sunday’s event might not go ahead. “The final touches are being put on the circuit, most of the Formula One and the teams’ personnel and freight have arrived and we’re all systems go to kick off the F1 season in style this week in Melbourne,” Grand Prix Corporation spokesman Haydn Lane said.

Victorian Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said on Sunday: “It’s been a challenging build-up but everything is in place to deliver a great event for Victoria.”

The federal government has unveiled “enhanced screening” for people travelling to Australia from Italy, where more than 230 people have died from the virus.

Travellers from Italy will be asked mandatory questions at check-in and anyone who fails the checks will be denied approval to board an aircraft.