Boullier admits doubt over French GP amid coronavirus concerns
F1 News
- Bevan Youl
Eric Boullier, who heads the organiser of the Paul Ricard Circuit, has admitted doubt over the French Grand Prix taking place due to growing concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.
The Chinese Grand Prix has already been postponed while the Australian is set to be as well, with the future of the Bahrain and Vietnam races already in doubt.
The attention turns to the European circuits starting in May with the return of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
France is a scheduled stop on the Formula 1 calendar for June but the country already has over 1700 cases of Covid-19, which could put the race in doubt.
Boullier states that the health of fans, partners, F1 and the media are the priority.
“The safety and health of our spectators and partners, as well as the people in Formula 1 and the media, is our priority,” he said to Auto Hebdo.
“In view of this and other information about the spread of coronavirus, nothing justifies calling into question the organisation of the French GP.”
The race in Bahrain is to take place behind closed doors and televised without any spectators, something Boullier says could happen in France and that fans would be refunded.
“Either it takes place, with or without an audience, or it is postponed or cancelled. In all cases, we have good insurance and spectators will be fully reimbursed,” he said to Le Figaro.
F1 and the FIA are yet to make an announcement on the future of the opening races on the calendar.