This weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in
Melbourne has been cancelled. The news follows McLaren’s withdrawal from
the race on Thursday, after one of their team members tested positive for the coronavirus.
A statement issued jointly by F1, governing body the FIA and the
Australian Grand Prix Corporation read: “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 are 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.”
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