Here is Formula 1’s official statement per their website:
This weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has been officially cancelled. The news follows McLaren’s withdrawal from the race on Thursday, after one of their team members tested positive for the coronavirus.
A statement issued jointly by F1, governing body the FIA and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation read: “Following the confirmation that a member of the McLaren Racing Team has tested positive for COVID-19 and the team’s decision to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix, Formula 1 and the FIA convened a meeting of the other nine team principals on Thursday evening. Those discussions concluded with a majority view of the teams that the race should not go ahead.
“Formula 1 and the FIA, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) have therefore taken the decision that all Formula 1 activity for the Australian Grand Prix are cancelled.
“We appreciate this is very disappointing news for the thousands of fans due to attend the race and all ticket holders will receive a full refund and a further announcement will be communicated in due course.
“All parties took into consideration the huge efforts of the AGPC, Motorsport Australia, staff and volunteers to stage the opening round of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne, however concluded that the safety of all members of the Formula 1 family and the wider community, as well as the fairness of the competition take priority.”
Although I am personally disappointed, it is gratifying that a good decision resulted. Why the decision was not unanimous among the eight teams is somewhat of a concern. The “show must go on” should not prevail when lives are potentially at risk.
pg (not Procter and Gamble)
Looks like we’re gonna get an unexpected Grace appearance on the podcast this week. I suggest the sudo-traditional ‘Cheese and Wine’ episode we actually didn’t get this winter. (seriously I enjoy the Cheese and Wine episodes)