The coronavirus threatens more and more Formula 1 races. After the Grand Prix of China was canceled, the races in Bahrain (March 22) and Vietnam (April 5) are now at risk due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Bahrain has already canceled all flights to and from Dubai.
Singapore Airport is also affected. The problem: The F1 team would have to enter the Emirate state from both hubs.
F1-insider.com learned: Tomorrow, Thursday, FIA, Formula 1 and the teams want to discuss the situation. On the table and up for discussion – a possible cancellation of all four first GPs.
According to this plan, the season would only start on May 3 in Zandvoort.
abReason: Not only does the spread of the virus poses problems for the premier class of motorsport, but also global travel itself. According to information from F1-insider.com, some teams expect quarantine measures if they come back to Europe from overseas races. But how should they prepare for the next race then?
At Ferrari with headquarters in Northern Italy (Maranello / Emiglia Romagna) and Alpha Tauri with the factory in Faenza, there is even the question of whether Australia, Bahrain, and Vietnam allow these teams to enter. The government in Hanoi has already announced that people from hazardous areas may not enter the country.
The Ferrari Museum has already been closed on instructions from local authorities. People from infected areas are denied access to their factories. Ferrari traveled to the F1 tests in Barcelona with its own charter machine.
As of now, the season is scheduled to start on March 15 in Australia. Bahrain would follow a week later. Then it would go back to Europe. We will keep you informed about the latest developments.