The McLaren F1 team has withdrawn from the F1 season-opening Australian Grand Prix after a team member tested positive for the Coronavirus. The McLaren member is just one of the several F1 personnel who have been tested for the virus but is the only one to test positive.
A statement from the team read:
McLaren Racing has confirmed this evening in Melbourne that it has withdrawn from the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, following the positive test of a team member for the coronavirus. The team member was tested and self-isolated as soon as they started to show symptoms and will now be treated by local healthcare authorities.
The team has prepared for this eventuality and has ongoing support in place for its employee who will now enter a period of quarantine. The team is cooperating with the relevant local authorities to assist their investigations and analysis.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, and Andreas Seidl, Team Principal of McLaren F1, informed Formula 1 and the FIA of the decision this evening. The decision has been taken based on a duty of care not only to McLaren F1 employees and partners, but also to the team’s competitors, Formula 1 fans and wider F1 stakeholders.
Many have insisted that the sport was foolish to attempt to run the season-opener in Australia amidst the virus outbreak. Even some drivers have been vocal about the race, with Lewis Hamilton saying he was “shocked” that F1 was starting the season. Many other sporting events have been cancelled or postponed.
According to reports, the F1 team bosses are discussing how to proceed following this most recent news. Although it has not yet been officially confirmed, it’s likely that the Australian Grand Prix will be cancelled.
