CORONAVIRUS has swept across the globe with thousands already dying from the virus.
With little sign of the spread slowing down, bosses in every sport are preparing contingency plans to avoid getting any others infected.
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Chinese Grand Prix has already been postponed with more expected to followCredit: AFP or licensors
Formula One is no different, with one race already postponed, while discussions are underway for further action surrounding coronavirus outbreak.
What races have been affected due to coronavirus?
The Australian Grand Prix has been cancelled after McLaren went into self-isolation and Lewis Hamilton complained about the race going ahead.
This comes after the government Down Under imposed a travel ban for any coming in from Italy – which will not be enforced until Wednesday, March 11 when the likes of Ferrari and AlphaTauri should already been in the country.
The Chinese Grand Prix was postponed in mid-February with the Shanghai circuit 500 miles from Wuhan – where the coronavirus outbreak began.
The F1 bosses have insisted that they will try to find room for it in the calendar, but with 22 races being scheduled, this could be unlikely.
The inaugural Vietnam GP is currently going ahead, despite the Hanoi track being just 100 miles from the border of China.
The new circuit continues to be built as they prepare for their first foray into F1 on April 5.
Yet, the race is under threat, with Italy ravaged by the virus.
AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost has said: “If teams can’t run for whatever reason, and I have not thought about this and also I’m not a decision maker, but then I think it would be unfair to start the season.
“This is a big disadvantage for whoever it is.”
The second race of the season – Bahrain – is also set to stay on the calendar, but will take place WITHOUT any fans.
The Government of Bahrain have already revealed any foreign nationals who have visited Italy, Singapore and Hong Kong – among others – in the 14 days prior to travelling to Bahrain are not allowed entry.
This is putting any teams travelling to Singapore and Hong Kong on their way to Australia in doubt, along with the two Italian teams.
When will the season start?
With the Australian Grand Prix cancelled, the season will now get underway to empty stands in Bahrain.
But Bahrain government’s flight restrictions are putting that race in doubt, while, it is still unconfirmed whether Vietnam is secure enough from the virus to proceed.
The fourth Grand Prix would have been the Chinese Grand Prix, but that was cancelled back in February.
This would mean the first GP of the season may not be until May 3 at the returning Zandvoort track in Holland.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
