Coronavirus: Australian Grand Prix decision as F1 drivers vote with their feet and leave Melbourne
By the time the Australian Grand Prix was called off after hours of confusion for queuing fans, some F1 drivers had already voted with their feet.
The Australian Grand Prix has been officially cancelled, claimed by the worsening coronavirus crisis.
A statement from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation confirmed that it had received advice from the Formula 1 governing body at 9am Eastern Summer Time of their intention to cancel all Formula 1 activity at the Albert Park event.
“In light of this decision and updated advice this morning from the Chief Health Officer of the Victorian Government’s Department of Health and Human Services, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation confirms the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix is cancelled immediately,” the AGPC statement said.
The cancellation came after one of the McLaren team’s members tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday.
“Our first priority is the safety of everyone including attendees, our personnel, all event partners and members of the local community.
“Further information regarding refunds for ticket holders will be communicated in due course.”
Confusing hours for queuing fans
The cancellation followed a tumultuous round of meetings and indecision on Thursday night and Friday morning as organisers attempted to salvage the event after the McLaren team pulled out of the race on Thursday night.
On Friday morning, Grand Prix chairman Paul Little told the Today show the event would proceed, and a GP spokesman said gates would open to the public at 8.45am, where fans were already lined up.
By 10am, as queues grew, confusion reigned, with the gates still not open.
About 9am Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said organisers were making a choice between “no event or an event without fans,” following updated advice from Victoria’s chief health officer.
“But at the very least, there will be no fans at the event this weekend,” the Victorian premier told ABC news.
Then came the full statement it was all off:
“At 9am today the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) was advised by Formula 1 of their intention to cancel all Formula 1 activity at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix,” said the AGPC.
“In light of this decision and updated advice this morning from the Chief Health Officer of the Victorian Government’s Department of Human and Health Services, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation confirms the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix is cancelled immediately.
“Last night a member of the McLaren Racing team tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. A further seven individuals returned negative results, confirming that they do not have the COVID-19 virus.
“Additionally, a ninth individual has been assessed and tested for the COVID-19 virus, with the results of this test pending. This individual is not associated with any Formula 1 team, the FIA or associated suppliers.
“Further information regarding refunds for ticket holders will be communicated in due course.”
Drivers vote with their feet
It followed amid reports several F1 drivers had already left Melbourne or were at the airport on Friday morning, appearing to have voted with their feet — including Ferrari team members Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikonnen.
A leaked Twitter post showed the pair travelled home on the same flight.
BBC sports said it had confirmed the pair had left the country and reported Mercedes team members Lewis Hamilton Valtteri Bottas are still in Melbourne.
‘Cash is king’
And it followed a scathing attack on organisers on Thursday afternoon by Hamilton — the world’s leading F1 driver — on race organisers for going ahead with the race as the coronavirus threat escalates worldwide.
Hamilton said his sport was falling behind in its response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, and suggested organisers were putting money before safety. “I am really very, very surprised we are here. I think motorsport is great but … it is really shocking that we are sitting in this room,” the six-time F1 world champion said at a drivers’ press conference on the opening day of the four-day event.
“Already this morning you’ve seen (Donald) Trump shutting the borders of the US to Europe, the NBA has been suspended, but Formula One continues to go on.”
Asked why he thought the event was proceeding, Hamilton said “cash is king”.
McLaren’s withdrawal
Hours later, with one of its team members diagnosed with coronavirus, F1 giant McLaren pulled the plug on taking part in the race.
McLaren’s move threw the event into further disarray on Thursday night as opposition to it proceeding grew.
McLaren said it had prepared for the result and the team member would “now be treated by local healthcare authorities”. McLaren would co-operate in any investigation and analysis.
“The decision has been taken based on a duty of care not only to McLaren F1 employees and partners but also to the team’s competitors, Formula 1 fans and wider F1 stakeholders,” McLaren said.
GP head apologises to fans
Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Paul Little apologised to motor racing at a press conference after the cancellation, saying health and safety concerns had to take precedence over staging the race, after the most recent advice from Victoria’s chief health officer.
But he didn’t rule out the event taking place later in the year.
“To our race fans, I would like to say we are terribly disappointed that the event can’t go ahead,” Mr Little said.
“The health and safety and welfare of the teams and people, the community generally, has to take precedence and it will and has and we look forward to hopefully being able to run this event at some later stage. We will just have to wait and see,” he said.
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