Over thirty hours after Bahrain organizers revealed that their race would take place behind closed doors, F1 issues an update on the coronavirus.

It reads:

"The health and safety of the F1 fans, family and wider communities is always paramount. With the continuing spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and its impact on global communities, F1 is in constant dialogue with promoters, governmental bodies and expert health authorities to ensure the safeguarding of everyone inside and around the sport.

F1 is taking a scientific approach to the outbreak in order to help assess and implement the appropriate steps needed to minimise risks and protect personnel.

Bahrain has taken the decision to hold this year's Grand Prix as a participants-only event - part of a wider set of proactive measures implemented by the country to limit the virus' spread. Bahrain will also implement screening procedures on entry and specialist medical facilities onsite, as well as enhanced sanitation at the circuit, additional hand washing stations and specific medical protocols to manage any suspected cases of COVID-19.

The Chinese Grand Prix, originally slated for 17-19 April, has been postponed.

Due to the fluid nature of the virus, F1 will continue to take a scientific approach to the situation, acting on daily advice from the official health authorities and the advice or measures each host promoter may enact.

F1 has itself implemented a number of measures based upon advice from Public Health England, including the suspension of all non-essential travel. Dedicated teams of experts will be deployed at airports, transit points and at circuits to safeguard personnel, focused on the diagnosis, management and extraction of suspected cases. Bespoke quarantine points are being installed by promoters for any suspected cases.

For F1, the FIA and all teams and promoters, the safety of our people is at all times paramount."

The statement comes at a time there is increasing unrest among members of the media not only over this weekend's Australian Grand Prix, but what they perceive as a lack of action and leadership from Formula One Management.

In recent days, German broadcaster RTL has announced that it will not be attending this weekend's race, or those in Bahrain and Vietnam, while M4 Sport Hungary will not be present in Melbourne in addition to talk that Sky Italia will also not attend.

At a time a leading European nation is in total lock-down, F1 is reacting with "dedicated teams of experts" and "bespoke quarantine points".

The situation not helped by the fact that F1's head of communications, Luca Colajanni has suddenly quit the role and returned to Ferrari.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by JayW, 11/03/2020 2:07

"Suggest for this year F1 Melbourne that Pit lane for teams only and not general public - includes Supercars - some will not like but best to be safe and have a future life no one knows who will be affected by the virus"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Superbird70, 10/03/2020 11:47

"PGS-Cane toad, Red Fox, Feral cat, Goats , Feral pig, Feral donkey, Dromedary camel, Brumby ,Water Buffalo - Australia has handled these really well.

A few years ago one F1 team or driver tried to bring in sand as a promotion of some sort. Sent it all back."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 10/03/2020 8:57

"There are things far more deadly in Australia than Covid19 and that’s not including the wildlife 😀😀"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by PGS, 10/03/2020 8:51

"@Superbird70 Why? In Australia we have just over 100 cases. Admittedly you can't buy toilet paper without a riot but the rest of society is running perfectly well"

Rating: Positive (4) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by Mambo, 10/03/2020 8:35

"Are there really enough spare "dedicated teams of experts" in the world to look after F1's interests?"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by TokyoAussie, 10/03/2020 3:27

"Presumably if Ferrari did manage to leave Italy in time for Melbourne, they will be unable to return. I hear all of Italy is in lockdown now. I think the flights there and back are a much greater concern than the actual event, even though you can't have one without the other."

Rating: Negative (-1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

7. Posted by Superbird70, 09/03/2020 21:04

"The first 4-5 races should have been cancelled. It's not really even a hard decision."

Rating: Negative (-2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

F1 (finally) issues update statement on coronavirus

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page