FORMULA ONE drivers are set for crunch talks with F1 bosses over their coronavirus fears – with team’s already putting staff who have “shown symptoms” into self-isolation.
SunSport has learned that the Grand Prix Drivers Association – the body that represents F1 stars – are expected to seek assurances from the sport’s governing body, the FIA, and the promoters of the Australian Grand Prix.
F1 drivers, like Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, are set for crunch talks with F1 bosses over their coronavirus fearsCredit: Alamy Live News
A plane wrote ‘Stop F1’ in the air above Sydney earlier amid the fearsCredit: AFP
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Tensions have escalated here in Melbourne after McLaren confirmed to SunSport they have placed one team member into self-isolation as a precaution after they showed signs of the virus.
The member of staff was put into quarantine at the hotel in Melbourne where the team are staying.
Two members of the Haas F1 team are also being checked and have been placed in isolation.
Staff have arrived Down Under for this weekend’s opening race of the season, which has been overshadowed by the spread of the deadly virus.
An email chain has been started between the 20 drivers, where they have raised serious concerns about the measures in place to protect them – and the public.
We can confirm that one team member has self-isolated in the hotel as a precaution, in line with our policy, after showing symptoms similar to coronavirus.
MCLAREN SPOKESPERSON
Red Bull’s London-born racer, Alex Albon, said: “We don’t know what has been put in place at the minute.
“Australia’s motorsport fans are passionate and want to take photos and interact, so even now, walking around Melbourne has a different atmosphere compared to the past.
“I am not too sure what is in place because it is a serious problem.”
F1 chiefs have been slow to comment on their preparations for the race but did release a confusing statement on Tuesday saying that quarantine zones would be set up at the track for people who are taken ill.
Teams have been left baffled by the lack of instructions from both the FIA and F1’s owners, Liberty Media, and have been seeking their own independent advice.
Liberty will now come under intense scrutinary over their handling of the situation.
Yesterday, a number of high-profile sponsorship events were scrapped as a precaution as concerns grew about the spread of COVID-19 in Melbourne.
Drivers have also been instructed to keep a 2m gap from fans and media, with many planned events, such as signing sessions, cancelled while posing for selfies with fans have also been banned.
The mood in Melbourne darkened on Wednesday morning after a restaurant close to the Albert Park track was put at the centre of a coronavirus scare.
A 70-year-old Australian man, who has been diagnosed with the virus, is understood to have visited the restaurant on Saturday night.
Local media have reported that he had recently travelled from Singapore and was not in self-isolation, despite feeling unwell.
The venue is currently closed and staff have been told to to self-isolate, however, this weekend’s race is still given the go-ahead.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has said that school closures in the state were likely but would not be pressed into cancelling the race.
He said: “We are not cancelling the Grand Prix, or footy the week after, now is not the time for these things.
“But that time will come, and it is appropriate, just like fire, to be frank with people. To be honest with people.”
Australia has now closed the borders to visitors from Italy with travellers not allowed in if they have been in the country during the past 14 days.
The travel ban came in at 6pm last night, by which time key personnel from Ferrari, AlphaTauri and Pirelli should all have arrived Down Under.
Meanwhile, a third Formula E race has been called off due to coronavirus as Jakarta joins Sanya and Rome on the postponed list.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
