Summary: Coronavirus shows tremendous weakness of the Formula 1 leaders
F1 News
Formula 1 haven't boosted their image. Before the event, there were many people who had questions about the race going on and this got even more intense during the week. See here our overview of the chaos in Melbourne caused by the coronavirus.
UK: 05:42 - AUS: 16:42 | Verstappen looks ahead to the race
The press conferences have just ended, but they are also not going according to plan. Because of COVID-19, the interviews are short, so drivers and teams are not in the presence of other people for long. Max Verstappen lets it all pass him by and is especially looking forward to the race. The Dutchman doesn't worry too much about the virus.
See the story here
UK: 06:18 - AUS: 17:18 | Hamilton and Raikkonen don't understand it
Where Verstappen puts his fate in the hands of the leadership, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen don't understand their presence on the paddock. Hamilton gives a sneer to Formula 1 with 'Cash is King' and calls it ridiculous that the world is standing still, but F1 is just racing through. Kimi also thinks it is a wrong decision and nobody is surprised if it turns out that the Finn was on the plane before the official report from F1 came out.
See the story here
UK: 11:23 - AUS: 22:23 | McLaren withdraws for the Australian GP
McLaren pulls the plug on the Australian Grand Prix. One of the people being tested for COVID-19 turns out to be positive and he works for McLaren. The team withdraws, which is seen by the entire media as a brave decision. The other teams are sticking to F1.
See the story here
UK: 11:53 - AUS: 22:53 | Haas crew members not infected with coronavirus
Where McLaren pulls the plug on the project, Haas appears to have better news. The staff members of the team come back with a negative test for the corona virus. For the time being, the Americans can stay and let F1 continue.
See the story here
UK: 13:40 - AUS: 00:40 (Friday) | Image damage due to poor communication
It is now midnight in Australia and fans, teams and the media still know nothing. People would like to go to bed to be back on the track the next morning, but with the changing information, nothing is clear yet. Online, the attack has now been launched by fans.
See the story here
UK: 15:06 - AUS: 02:06 | According to Sky Sports, the race will continue as usual
For those who have stayed awake, nothing has been announced by F1. Sky Sports reports from a reliable source that the race will continue as normal. People are stunned after this message. Does Formula 1 really go ahead despite McLaren's absence?
Read the story here
UK: 15:45 - AUS: 02:45 | BBC reports the opposite of Sky: Race is cancelled
The confusion is possibly even greater 45 minutes later. The other major British news channel reports the exact opposite. The BBC's 'reliable source' says that the race will not continue and that it is only a matter of time before this is announced.
Read the article here
UK: 18:14 - AUS: 05:40 | Sky Sports changes stance
Almost three hours later, people are still no wiser in bed or somewhere around the paddock. Sky Sports has meanwhile changed opinion: The GP is cancelled anyway. According to Craig Slater, a vote has taken place between the teams that ended in a draw. Red Bull Racing, AlphaTauri, Williams, Racing Point and Haas are voting in favour, but Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, McLaren and Alfa Romeo are voting against. What now?
UK: 00:08 - AUS: 10:10 | Official: Australian GP has been cancelled
Finally, we get some confirmation from Formula 1. Just as the fans and drivers start to move towards Albert Park, F1 announce that the event is cancelled. The message appeared to be ready for seven hours, so the question is whether the F1 already knew that they would cancel it or was it just prepared as a precaution?
The press conference that follows is harrowing. After letting the press and fans live in ignorance for hours, Chase Carey simply states that he is satisfied with the state of affairs. The press is stunned and asks critical question after critical question, but the leadership remains calm. The situation fluctuates by the day and so they acted in consultation with the main authorities.
Formula 1 is, therefore, hiding behind rules, but the fact remains that thousands of people are packed around the circuit, without information and without observing the COVID-19 regulations. The organisation is also unable to say anything about Bahrain and Vietnam: 'We are looking at it day by day'.