
Australian Grand Prix: Authorities 'can't rule out' cancellation
Australian Grand Prix: Authorities 'can't rule out' cancellation

Authorities in Australia are on red alert for the spread of the coronavirus, and have admitted that they can't rule out cancelling all major sporting events, including the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The race represents the season opener for the Formula 1 2020 campaign on March 15, but with the disease spreading across Asia and the most recent outbreak in Italy affecting Ferrari, where the facility at Maranello is on lockdown, has raised concerns over whether the race should take place.
Chief Health Officer of the region of Victoria, Dr. Brett Sutton, said of the situation: "I think we have to keep all options open.
“If it’s a very mild pandemic, like the 2009 flu pandemic, then you don’t need really significant action. But if it’s severe and we need to do absolutely everything possible to reduce the peak, reduce the number of cases, then we have to keep all options open.
Dr. Sutton was keen to stress that at this stage the event was 'highly likely' to take place as planned and it would take 'extraordinary activity' surrounding the disease to lead to a cancellation.
He added: “I think we keep it under review but these huge events are planned for months and months in advance and I think it would take some extraordinary activity of the coronavirus in Australia to cancel something like this at this stage.
“I think it’s almost certain to go ahead.
“It’s a huge economic boost to the country and people are harmed by economic constraints as well, so we have the bear that in mind. People can die as a result of really significant economic harms.”
Related news

Wolff warns F1 rivals that 2024 car will make MASSIVE step

F1 and Mercedes facing lawsuit over cryptocurrency promotion

Hamilton issues Mercedes plea ahead of 2024 F1 season

Hamilton clarifies role in high-profile Mercedes F1 departure
Most read

Hamilton clarifies role in high-profile Mercedes F1 departure

Verstappen caught red-handed in failed Red Bull sabotage

McLaren announce NEW F1 signing after Mercedes switch

F1 team member desperate with search launched in Abu Dhabi marina

F1 star costs team 'quadruple his wages' in car damage
F1 Standings

Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
-
Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860