Australian F1 Grand Prix cancelled as McLaren team member has coronavirus

The Australian F1 Grand Prix has been cancelled after a McLaren mechanic has tested positive for coronavirus.

Following a two-and half-hour meeting of team principals with F1 chief Ross Brawn they have decided to cancel the season opener of the F1 Grand Prix.

In a statement McLaren said, “McLaren Racing has confirmed this evening in Melbourne that is has withdrawn from the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, following the positive test of a team member for the coronavirus.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.

Public Health England (PHE) has said the total number of people across the UK with coronavirus has risen to 590 confirmed cases, an increase of 134 in 24 hours across the UK. Ten people have now been confirmed to have died.

Compared to last Wednesday there were on a total of 85 cases reported. This is the largest jump in cases so far in one day across the UK since the coronavirus outbreak started in the UK.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has now categorised the deadly coronavirus outbreak as a global pandemic.