Coronavirus: Daniel Ricciardo: Correct decision to cancel Aussie GP

Australian Grand Prix

Ricciardo: Correct decision to cancel Aussie GP

The native Australian admits to being devastated at the cancellation, however

Martin Macdonald

Friday 13 March 2020 09:49

Daniel Ricciardo believes it was the right decision for the Australian Grand Prix to be cancelled in light of the coronavirus pandemic, but admitted he was “devastated” to miss out driving in his home country.

The campaign to cancel the race accelerated on Thursday after an outbreak in the McLaren camp, leading the team to withdraw from the event.

Even after that, it took F1 management and race organisers 12 hours to announce the official cancellation, which Ricciardo begrudgingly says was the right call.

Brawn defends handling of Australian GP cancellationRead more

“I wanted to my season started, I wanted to race at home, it is just unfortunate that it happened late,” he told reporters at Perth Airport.

“Everyone was there ready to go.

“When you see everything else around the world kind of shut down, it seems with our knowledge that it is the right call.

“I’ll stay ready, train, stay for and healthy and get ready for the call when we are going racing.”

Article continues under video

The Australian GP joins the already-cancelled Chinese GP in races not happening on the F1 calendar.

However, it is expected that the season postponement could last until June, which would also call into question the Bahrain GP (which will likely be cancelled this week), the Dutch GP, the Spanish GP, and the Vietnam GP.

Ricciardo remains hopeful that we will see some racing in 2020.

“Absolutely, we have just got to be patient,” he replied when asked if he expects to race again this year.

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 Sprint Qualifying Results: Max Verstappen suffers Shanghai nightmare as Mercedes penalty looms

10 minutes ago

F1 star's comeback takes a hit after being ruled OUT at Chinese Grand Prix

45 minutes ago

Ferrari fail Lewis Hamilton as new race engineer relationship tested at Chinese GP

1 hour ago

F1 2026 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest from Shanghai

2 hours ago

All or Nothing: Alonso tells Aston Martin fans they might be in for a shock at Chinese GP

2 hours ago

F1 Results Today: Lewis Hamilton off the pace as Mercedes soar at Chinese Grand Prix