The Australian Grand Prix has been postponed following McLaren’s withdrawal from the Formula One season opener after a team member tested positive for coronavirus, according to reports.
The decision was taken following a crisis two-hour summit involving F1’s hierarchy, its governing body, the FIA, and a number of the sport’s team principals in Melbourne, the BBC and Sky Television Association have reported.
Motorsport.com quoted sources saying a majority of the teams were unhappy to continue and the governing FIA would accept the decision.
There has yet been no official confirmation from F1 or the sport’s governing body the FIA, and some reports still state the race will go ahead as planned.
F1’s move follows the tide of the sporting world after a series of events were cancelled or delayed on Thursday in response to the deadly disease, which has claimed more than 4600 lives.
McLaren chiefs told governing body FIA of their decision to pull out late on Thursday night, barely 24 hours before practice was due to start in Melbourne.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
I guess you don’t have 100k people sitting in close proximity to each other in stands.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What I don't get is if it's cancelled now what's the benefit? People will have traveled to Melbourne. They'll be in hotels, frequenting bars and restaurants. Surely the benefit of cancellation is negated significantly now?
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
As millions of people still need to bang out 60 hour working weeks to pay the bills these entitled, privileged and stonkingly rich princesses will run back to their tax havens and do instagram pics with their designer cats. Or grow a pair and run the race without a crowd.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
The only surprising thing is they’ve waited this long to do the inevitable.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Just saw on the Today Show that the Organise confirmed that the three days were going ahead. Communication doesn’t seem to the F1’s forte this morning.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
What’s irresponsible is that there’s actually been no official statement or confirmation that it has been cancelled yet. Apparently discussions are ‘ongoing’ between parties. All us media people are heading in and some fans too. I’d love for the rest of the teams to just withdraw, leaving organisors no choice.
Cee
Guest
Apparently still on, the Marshalls have been summoned to the track. But who knows we might just get FP1 and FP2 and that's it.
JGK
Roar Guru
Should have been cancelled last week. That way a whole bunch of Europeans wouldn’t have been allowed into the country for no reason.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Sensible decision, it would’ve been pretty irresponsible to do so (allegedly) against the wishes of the teams and with the heightened internal risk. Doesn’t bode too well for Australia’s other major sporting leagues, although they’re largely free of infection points this far.