RED BULL boss Christian Horner says there is no chance that the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead.
While Horner’s team were willing to go ahead with this weekend’s season opener in Melbourne, he said he fully supported and understood F1’s decision to abandon the race.
Red Bull boss Horner believes next week’s race must not go aheadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The following weekend’s Bahrain GP was due to go ahead behind closed doors but it now looks likely to be pulled altogether.
And the Vietnam GP is also set to be cancelled as the pandemic causes more sports shutdowns. As yet, it is unknown when F1 will resume.
Horner said: “There will be conversations about more postponements, it is inevitable.
“We need to see what the promoter has to say — they’re more informed than us about the races in Europe.
“A number of teams changed their mind and did not want to race. The promoter had no choice and had to cancel the race.
“Now we have to make sure we all get home safely. I think it’s out of the question that we will be in Bahrain next week.”
⚠️ Read our Coronavirus in Sport live blog for the latest news, updates and cancellations
F1 CANCELLATIONS
- Australia Grand Prix – 15 March – CANCELLED
- Bahrain Grand Prix – 22 March – ON VERGE OF CANCELLATION
- Vietnam Grand Prix – 5 April – ON VERGE OF CANCELLATION
- Chinese Grand Prix – 19 April – CANCELLED
- Dutch Grand Prix – 3 May – CURRENTLY GOING AHEAD
Meanwhile, McLaren have now released more information after their staff member tested positive for the disease.
The Woking-based team say 14 staff will remain in isolation in Australia as a precaution after being exposed to the person who contracted the coronavirus.
A statement said: “Further to McLaren’s withdrawal from the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, we are now in a position to provide a further update.
“McLaren fully supports the decision taken by Formula One, the FIA and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to cancel the event.
“Overnight, 14 members of the team, in addition to the one confirmed case, were placed in quarantine at the team hotel for 14 days, in accordance with local health authority directives.
“These are individuals who had been in close contact with the team member who tested positive for coronavirus.
F1 teams were forced to pack up on Friday without getting a single lap inCredit: AP:Associated Press
Most Ferrari staff will head back to Italy where the outbreak is at its most severeCredit: AFP or licensors
“These individuals are being supported by senior team personnel, who will stay behind with them during the quarantine period.
“Any other team members who show symptoms will be tested immediately and self-isolate, in line with our protocol.
“Other members of the team have been cleared to return to the paddock to pack down team equipment before travelling back to the UK.
“On arrival in the UK, no race team member will return to the McLaren Technology Centre for a period of 14 days, as a precautionary measure.”
On Friday morning, Red Bull ace Max Verstappen added his voice to the calls for fans to stay safe amid the outbreak.
The Dutchman tweeted: “We were all looking forward to the start of the 2020 season. Of course I’m disappointed but we all understand that in the end this was the right decision.
“Feeling sorry for all the fans and everyone involved. Stay safe.”
Lewis Hamilton doesn’t want to leave hotel room over F1 coronavirus fears as McLaren pull out of Australian GP
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
