The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will go ahead on March 22 without fans due to the coronavirus crisis.
Bahrain, which is hosting the second round of the F1 season at the Sakhir circuit outside Manama, has reported 83 cases of the virus, mostly linked to people who had travelled to Iran.
“Bahrain has made the decision to hold this year’s (race) as a participants-only event,” organisers said on Sunday.
“Convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travellers and local fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do at the present time,” they added.
“To ensure that neither the sport, nor its global supporter base, is unduly impacted, the race weekend itself will still go ahead as a televised event.”
Bahrain is the second F1 race casualty of the virus. The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai scheduled for April 19 has already been postponed.
A Bahrain International Circuit spokesman said accredited media would attend as usual.
Bahrain has suspended flights to some destinations over concerns of the rapidly spreading virus. It has also asked people entering the country who have recently visited Italy, South Korea, Egypt and Lebanon to isolate themselves for two weeks. Maranello, Italy, home of the Ferrari team is within the affected area.
But both Ferrari and Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri, who are based in Faenza, will still race in Bahrain because they will be coming from the Australian GP, which hosts the opening race in Melbourne next weekend.
“Depending on where they flew through on the way from Melbourne, there is a process that you go through,” the circuit spokesman said of the Italian teams.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
I am thinking spruce! Do you really think that Australia are going to let in people suspected of having the coronavirus?! I don't think so.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Can I just say that that wasn't announced when I typed out that comment. Still think it's right to hold the GP as normal because the Italian teams have already made their way to Australia. Scaremongering should not have its way too much and we'll have a successful GP this weekend.
Nick
Roar Guru
The short term economic boost is nothing to the long term guaranteed economic cost of thousands getting sick. Think!
Nick
Roar Guru
Italy have now locked down the country... You surely cannot stand by that post. Australia are putting millions at risk simply to placate the F1. This is a disgrace.
Lui
Guest
I can't believe the Grand Prix is still going ahead, Wow. This will equate to a disaster. The so called economy to Victoria will be lost in health and many more infections and possibly death. Learn from the rest of the world please. Stop c by asking your tails.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Now I'm not defending the government's decision here at all but surely you can see their view that continuing to let Italians in so that the grand prix can go ahead is a good thing considering the boost to the Melbourne local economy it will bring? And the fact that most of the teams and fans are already in Australia or are currently flying to Australia.
Nick
Roar Guru
If anything this shows the utter cowardice of both the state and federal governments in Australia. Necessary and decisive action was required to contain the virus, the governments elected not to, and now come across as money thirsty racists. Ban the Asians, but let the Europeans in. Rare that I would applaud the Bahrain leadership, but well done to Bahrain for making the tough but right call.