F1 and coronavirus: "We can't just shut down completely" but "can't take unnecessary risks"

F1’s 2020 campaign is set to start in Australia next weekend amidst uncertainty about the outbreak of coronavirus.
 
The Chinese Grand Prix has already been postponed and there has been a lot of doubt whether the first three races (Australia, Bahrain and Vietnam) will go ahead.
 
But Brawn insists the start to the season will still go ahead and is closely monitoring alongside health authorities to minimise any potential issues.
 
“It is challenging at the moment, and we are all facing the challenge of the coronavirus,” he said at a launch event for new F1 partner 188Bet.

“I think the key thing is to try and maintain the sport in the safest possible way. We can't take unnecessary risks, but we can't just shut down completely.

“I mean if the whole economy shut down completely, that would have a much more serious impact than the coronavirus. But the coronavirus is a very serious threat, so we have to take the necessary reactions.

“For every country we're working with the local health authorities to decide what is the appropriate actions to take.

“All the teams for instance are minimising the amount of staff that travel. So we're taking every sensible precaution we can, and we have to follow the advice of the health authority.”

For now the races Melbourne, Bahrain and Vietnam will go ahead but due to the changing situation Brawn is prepared to react if necessary.

“At the moment, the first three races are going ahead,” he added. “But this is a situation that is changing day by day.

“So we have to react and we have to respond accordingly.”