The Formula One Australian Grand Prix has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers have received stiff criticism from just about everyone, from medical experts to defending champion Lewis Hamilton, for not cancelling the event earlier, but finally made the decision just after 10am (AEDT) to cancel the race.
» Read more: Australian Grand Prix cancelled due to Covid-19
There had been conflicting reports about whether the event will go ahead following the news that a McLaren team member tested positive for the virus last night. McLaren announced they were withdrawing from the race in the wake of that news, while Ferrari drivers Sebastien Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen fly home from Melbourne this morning.
Formula One’s full statement read as follows:
Following the confirmation that a member of the McLaren Racing Team has tested positive for COVID-19 and the team’s decision to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix, Formula 1 and the FIA convened a meeting of the other nine team principals on Thursday evening. Those discussions concluded with a majority view of the teams that the race should not go ahead. Formula 1 and the FIA, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) have therefore taken the decision that all Formula 1 activity for the Australian Grand Prix is cancelled.
We appreciate this is very disappointing news for the thousands of fans due to attend the race and all ticket holders will receive a full refund and a further announcement will be communicated in due course.
All parties took into consideration the huge efforts of the AGPC, Motorsport Australia, staff and volunteers to stage the opening round of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne, however concluded that the safety of all members of the Formula 1 family and the wider community, as well as the fairness of the competition take priority.
Nicholas Belardo
Roar Guru
Yeah, but a lot of that was intentional towards the end
Nick
Roar Guru
Winners and losers from this: Winners: The fans, the drivers. Losers: Daniel Andrews - who's come across as a dangerous risk taker, and someone who prioritises money over his constituents. Internationally, he comes across as completely indecisive. Ross Braun - who's obvious bias for Ferrari put Daniel Andrews and Scott Morrison in the incredibly uncomfortable position of waiving them through in order for a race to happen. Scott Morrison - the opportunity to decisively ban Italians was last week, and he didn't do it. Instead thousands more were put at risk in Australia, thousands more travelled to Australia on the expectation their safety was assured. Clearly that wasn't the case. The state and federal governments badly let the people down the past 10 days.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
It's officially confirmed now. Just can't jump the gun, but yes I like the analogy.
Nick
Roar Guru
Surely that's a given, though? When you can't get the filet mignon you ordered, you aren't gonna eat chuck.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Support categories too will be called off shortly, as the pack up from the F1 teams commences here at the track.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Or was that just an excuse to get away from Marko? :silly:
Nick
Roar Guru
I cannot emphasise more strongly how obvious this outcome was looking 10 days ago. The fact that the government even had to think about the F1 when (then) deciding NOT to ban Italy was the writing on the wall for this race. Australia comes off as almost more disorganised than the Europeans now.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Clearly crowds outside as an outcome wasn't considered. Maybe they are just thinking about how to protect themselves and still make money of course
Rellum
Roar Guru
Fits in well with the NRL and Scotty from Marketing.
Nick
Roar Guru
What a farce. This is the right decision, sure. But the thousands of international tourists who turned up this week (at some risk) based on the most selfish of decisions by the Vic and federal governments who told them it was safe. I feel sorry for them. This is what happens when governments prioritise $$$ over public health.
Nick
Roar Guru
Well, the right decision made one week too late. Now the Vic govt and the country looks like a bunch of people who could organise a root at a brothel
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
HERE IS THE FULL JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE AGPC, F1 AND FIA Following the confirmation that a member of the McLaren Racing Team has tested positive for COVID-19 and the team’s decision to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix, Formula 1 and the FIA convened a meeting of the other nine team principals on Thursday evening. Those discussions concluded with a majority view of the teams that the race should not go ahead. Formula 1 and the FIA, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) have therefore taken the decision that all Formula 1 activity for the Australian Grand Prix is cancelled. We appreciate this is very disappointing news for the thousands of fans due to attend the race and all ticket holders will receive a full refund and a further announcement will be communicated in due course. All parties took into consideration the huge efforts of the AGPC, Motorsport Australia, staff and volunteers to stage the opening round of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne, however concluded that the safety of all members of the Formula 1 family and the wider community, as well as the fairness of the competition take priority. on;
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I'm no F1 expert, but that sounds like a massive farce.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
FIA and F1 HAVE CONFIRMED THE CANCELLATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX More to follow...
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was just speaking with media in the paddock, but it was cut short because of how close the proximity was between everyone and Marko.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Insanity indeed, there’s big crowds waiting all together at the gates. That’s got hazardous written all over it
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
This is worse communication than the Indy GP
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Little tidbit from The Age: "Attendees with higher levels of accreditation, like staff and media, are still walking into the race track. Fans have not yet been told of the ban, but this will occur imminently." Seems like insanity at Albert Park?
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru