The Australian Formula One is expected to be called offCoronavirus: The Australian Formula One is expected to be called off this morning. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is speaking at COAG in Sydney.Story: https://7news.link/38L32zB#Coronavirus #7NEWS
Posted by 7NEWS Perth on Thursday, 12 March 2020
The Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed that no spectators will be allowed into the Australian Grand Prix whether the race will go ahead will not.
The Grand Prix came under turmoil when it was revealed that a McLaren team member had been infected with the COVID-19 virus.
“From a public health point of view, the event, if it is to be run – and I’ll leave it to Grand Prix officials, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix organising body to make an official announcement, I think that will happen quite soon – but on public health grounds, there will be no spectators at the grand prix this weekend if a race actually happens at all”
said Premier Andrews in a media conference a short time ago.
As a matter of whether the Grand Prix itself will still go ahead, Andrews stressed that decision is out of his control.
“That’s a matter for them, and they’ll make announcements I think very soon.”
As to when a decision might be handed down:
“I think you’ll hear an announcement, a joint statement from both event organisers and Formula 1 within the hour,”
confirmed Andrews.
“The Chief Health Officer has updated his advice, that’s been communicated to grand prix organisers and now they’re making that choice between no event or an event without fans. But at the very least there will be no fans at the grand prix this weekend.”
Support classes such as the Supercars championship is expected to go ahead but behind closed doors.