MOTORSPORT: Australian F1 GP cancelled

UPDATED 11:00am:

After hours of confusion this morning, Formula 1's season-opening Grand Prix in Melbourne has been cancelled because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The news came at 10:00am, barely two hours after the Australian Grand Prix Corporation's new chairman, distinguished businessman and former Supercar team owner Paul Little, had said the event was proceeding.

Nine Network reporter Christine Ahern asked Little at 7:55am whether the GP was going ahead and he replied, adamantly: "Yes."

Ahern reported that Little's media representative, Haydn Lane, then told her: "It's all systems go – for the next three days.

AGPC chief executive Andrew Westacott had insisted for days that the GP would not be cancelled.

Yet the British Broadcasting Service and British F1 telecast reported throughout the early hours of today that the GP was off.

Soon after Little and Lane's comments this morning, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said that, on the basis of the latest advice from health authorities, spectators would be excluded from the Albert Park venue for the weekend but that it was up to racing authorities to decide whether to race.

It seemed for some time that the support categories, headed by V8 Supercars and including the carsales TCR Australia Series, would proceed.

However, the gates did not open at Albert Park at the advertised 8:45am and queuing fans, growing angry, were told that organisers were "working through programming and scheduling".

A Coronavirus test on a McLaren team member proved positive yesterday and the team promptly decided not to participate in the event.

Other teams then met F1 and Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) officials deep into the night and the BBC reported at 2:00am that the F1 race was off. Sky Sports subsequently reported the same news.

Coronavirus tests on seven other F1 pitlane personnel – four of them Haas team members – have been negative, while the result of a test on a photographer was still awaited.

Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said in an official press conference yesterday afternoon that he was "very, very surprised" the event had advanced as far as it had and that he thought it was "shocking".

Hamilton's four-time world champion rival, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, said drivers would be prepared to "pull the handbrake" if necessary, while Daniel Ricciardo – the carsales.com.au global ambassador – was content to leave the decision to the relevant officials.

Then at 10:00am today came the announcement from GP CEO Westacott (see below).

UPDATED 10:18am: The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has issued the following statement...

At 9am today the Australian Grand Prix Corporation was advised by Formula 1 of their intention to cancel all Formula 1 activity at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

In light of this decision and updated advice this morning from the Chief Health Officer of the Victorian Government’s Department of Human and Health Services, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation confirms the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix is cancelled immediately.

Last night a member of the McLaren Racing team tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. A further seven individuals returned negative results, confirming that they do not have the COVID-19 virus.

Additionally, a ninth individual has been assessed and tested for the COVID-19 virus, with the results of this test pending. This individual is not associated with any Formula 1 team, the FIA or associated suppliers.

Our first priority is the safety of everyone including attendees, our personnel, all event partners and members of the local community.

Further information regarding refunds for ticket holders will be communicated in due course.

9:30am: Formula 1's world championship-opening race at Albert Park seemingly has been cancelled due to Coronavirus fears, but the Australian Grand Prix Corporation is apparently pressing on with the rest of its event in Melbourne – but without spectators.

The Victorian capital has been in utter confusion this morning over whether the AGP was going ahead and the gates did not open to the public as advertised 8:45am.

An announcement was made to fans waiting to enter the venue that the organisers were "working through programming and scheduling".

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said soon after 9:00am that the GP was proceeding, at this stage, but spectators would be excluded.

A Coronavirus test on a McLaren team member proved positive yesterday and the team promptly decided not to participate in the event.

Other teams then met F1 and Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) officials deep into the night and the BBC reported at 2:00am that the F1 race was off. British host telecaster Sky Sports subsequently reported the same news.

However, at 7:55am, new AGPC chairman Paul Little told the Nine Network's Christine Ahern that, "yes", the GP was still on.

Ahern also reported that Little's media representative said "it's all systems go – for the next three days".

Coronavirus tests on seven other pitlane personnel – four of them Haas team members – have been negative, while the result of a test on a photographer are still awaited.

Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said in an official press conference yesterday afternoon that he was "very, very surprised" the event had advanced as far as it had and that he thought it was "shocking".

Hamilton's four-time world champion rival, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, said drivers would be prepared to "pull the handbrake" if necessary.