THE Australian Grand Prix has reportedly been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.
Lewis Hamilton had openly slammed the Formula 1 chiefs’ decision to go ahead with the race despite the outbreak of the deadly bug.
Formula 1 veteran Lewis Hamilton called for the race to be postponedCredit: AP:Associated Press
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But two senior F1 sources have now told the BBC that this weekend’s season-opening event has been postponed.
There has not been an official announcement yet from Formula 1 or governing body the FIA, but it is expected.
McLaren left the race in doubt when they pulled out of the Australian GP after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.
A statement from McLaren claimed the team had “prepared for this eventuality” but would not take part in the Melbourne event.
The employee was put in quarantine after they showed symptoms of the killer virus, along with four Haas team members.
But tests conducted on the Haas staff came back negative.
Hamilton said “cash is king” as he questioned why the Formula 1 bosses wanted the race to go ahead.
The six-time world champion, 35, said: “Cash is King. I don’t know why we are here.
Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton told fans to ‘stay safe’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
“I don’t feel like I should shy away from my opinion. The fact is we are here and I just urge everyone to be as careful as you can be in terms of touching doors and surfaces.
“For the fans, I hope they take precautions, too. As I was walking through the paddock and seeing everything going ahead as normal as if it is a normal day. But I don’t think it really is.
“I hope the fans stay safe and we go through this weekend and we don’t see any fatalities or things come out in the future.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
