Formula 1 is still on track to head to Melbourne in two weeks for the start of the 2020 season, despite MotoGP’s cancellation of the Qatar event.
Sports calendars around the world are disrupted by the appearance of the coronavirus, which has spread to all continents except Antarctica.
Countries are imposing travel restrictions, including the location which, FIM confirmed, resulted in the cancellation of the MotoGP season’s opening race in Qatar.
“From today, all passengers arriving in Doha on direct flights from Italy, or having stayed in Italy in the past 2 weeks, will be directly transferred in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.
“Italy clearly plays a vital role in the Championship and in the MotoGP category – on and off the track – and therefore the decision was made to cancel the first class competition.” the FIM said in a statement.
AGPC CEO Andrew Westacott said the race organizers would take advice from the local government but, at least for now, no one plans to cancel the race.
“The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has put in place strong health, safety and emergency management systems at each event and we will continue to work in collaboration with health agencies and government and service organization related urgency to resolve this problem,” Westacott said in a statement.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely in the run-up to the Grand Prix and will draw on the advice of experts in the field, including Victorian and national health officials and the Australian main health protection committee.
“Formula 1 has confirmed that the Australian Grand Prix is taking place and we look forward to welcoming them and the teams to Melbourne for the next two weeks.” Westacott added.
Some F1 teams such as AlphaTauri, based in Italy, have been forced to change their travel plans to Melbourne when some members of the team may not be able to race at all.
