MOTORSPORT: Australian F1 Grand Prix will go ahead, officials say

The Melbourne round of the 2020 Formula 1 season will go ahead as planned, despite the ongoing fallout of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has told carsales.com.au that its plans are unchanged for the March 12-15 season-opener.

Late last night (Sunday), the host body said it received contact from Formula 1 officials confirming no changes to next weekend’s schedule.

The news comes after MotoGP owners Dorna were forced to cancel the main class at this weekend’s season-opening Qatar Grand Prix this morning due to quarantine measures.

“Formula 1 has again confirmed overnight that the Australian Grand Prix is going ahead and we’re looking forward to welcoming them and the teams to Melbourne,” Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott said in a statement to carsales.com.au.

“We continue to closely monitor the situation in the lead up to the Grand Prix and are taking guidance from subject matter experts, including Victorian and National Chief Health Officers and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

“At this stage there is no indication of further travel bans, nor is there any indication that Formula 1 and the teams will not be arriving as usual,” Westacott said.

While AGP officials remain confident of the Albert Park event going ahead successfully, using the weekend’s World Superbike Championship season-opener at Phillip Island as evidence, teams aren’t so convinced.

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said his team would need assurance from governing bodies that their travel logistics are safe and transparent. Others based in Italy have expressed similar concerns, as instances of the coronavirus become more prevalent in the country, causing stricter re-entry measures.

Much of F1’s tyre supplier Pirelli’s tech team are Italy based.

The Chinese round of the 2020 Formula 1 season has already been postponed due to the coronavirus and the Vietnamese round could also be cancelled if more complications arise, officials have said.

However, Westacott said officials were finalising plans and commencing set-up for Melbourne’s F1 season opener.

“We are all systems go and gearing up for the 25th Formula 1 race in Melbourne next week,” he said.

“The finishing touches are being put on the circuit, Formula 1 freight and personnel are arriving in the coming days and we’re looking forward to opening the gates to the public on Thursday, March 12.

“The health and safety of everyone at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2020 is paramount. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has robust health, safety and emergency management arrangements in place at each event and we are working collaboratively with health agencies and related government and emergency services organisations in addressing this matter.”

Meantime, MotoGP officials say they will continue to monitor the situation to determine the status of the planned Thai Grand Prix on March 22.

“The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has resulted in Qatar travel restrictions being brought into force that affect passengers from Italy, amongst other countries,” read the statement from the series’ governing body, the FIM; the commercial rights holders Dorna; and IRTA, the teams’ association.

“As of today, all passengers arriving at Doha on direct flights from Italy, or having been in Italy in the past two weeks, will be taken straight to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

“Italy clearly plays a vital role in the championship and in the MotoGP class – both on track and off – and therefore the decision has been taken to cancel premier class competition,” the statement read.