BREAKING: 2020 AUSTRALIAN FORMULA 1 GP CANCELLED

michelforest · Mar 12, 2020

I don't know what to think of this situation. The safe way would be to cancel the race. On the other hand, the teams are already there, the "damage" is done (so to speak), they might as well run the race, albeit without McLaren, which sucks big time.

However, I would definitely cancel Bahrein and Vietnam. They've already announced that there won't be any spectators anyway. China is also cancelled. That leaves a significant gap before the next GP, Zandvoort. By then, maybe this virus scare will be a thing of the past...

BrainsBush · Mar 12, 2020

Magus said:
It's now been postponed.

Australian GP called off over coronavirus

The Australian Grand Prix is called off after teams and drivers forced the hand of Formula 1's bosses over coronavirus concerns.

www.bbc.com

Jenn Cutter · Mar 12, 2020

BBC says postponed. Sky deleted then reposted their article saying it's on, only this time without video. I have to wait for official confirmation from F1, FIA, or AGPC before I believe either way.

Deleted member 561801 · Mar 12, 2020

This season will be a real disaster.

FinFan · Mar 12, 2020

Nothing official, yet. Honestly, I'd better be safe than sorry. I get it that people want to see a race but there are more important things now. WHO doesn't label it as a pandemic for fun.

farjam · Mar 12, 2020

michelforest said:
I don't know what to think of this situation. The safe way would be to cancel the race. On the other hand, the teams are already there, the "damage" is done (so to speak), they might as well run the race, albeit without McLaren, which sucks big time.

However, I would definitely cancel Bahrein and Vietnam. They've already announced that there won't be any spectators anyway. China is also cancelled. That leaves a significant gap before the next GP, Zandvoort. By then, maybe this virus scare will be a thing of the past...

Actually the right way of protecting people is to not let teams and employees leave without a period of Quarantine and that period should Postponed Bahrain! Bahrain was rightfully avoiding its own citizens from coming back to Bahrain from Iran/Italy/China without passing Quarantine period.

Peter Eckhardt · Mar 12, 2020

its postponed
https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51849163

Hoksu · Mar 12, 2020

Should just cancel the entire season tbh.

michelforest · Mar 12, 2020

Hoksu said:
Should just cancel the entire season tbh.

Why the entire season?

Patrick van der Meulen · Mar 12, 2020

Hoksu said:
Should just cancel the entire season tbh.

Will not happen. SARS- CoV2 will disappear, whether due to building natural resistance or vaccination and/or effective medication. When contamination levels will go down, events will be organized again.

rubaru · Mar 12, 2020

Peter Eckhardt said:
its postponed
https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51849163

Called off.

Bonehead · Mar 12, 2020

12 HRS Of Sebring postponed.

guidofoc · Mar 12, 2020

Hmm. Looking at China it seems that to contain the virus you need at least 3 months? Here in Italy it's just been, what, 2-3 weeks? So here in Italy it won't be over before the end of May (if contained well, which is yet to be seen). In other countries it's starting now so it will be June at the earliest. It doesn't look like it's going to be over before the summer. Which means cancelling/postponing half of the season.

EDIT: for the vaccine multiple sources have said it won't be available before like 1 year so that's out of the question. There seem to be some drugs capable of reducing the severity of the issues for those in intensive care, but it's yet to be seen if they're flukes. In the best case scenario a good therapy is found within a month which decreases the mortality rate and the number of people in intensive care. That won't stop the virus, just make it less deadly.

Bram Hengeveld · Mar 12, 2020

Ouch

rubaru · Mar 12, 2020

Bram Hengeveld said:
View attachment 354974
Ouch

Everything has been falling 5-15% today. Gold -4%, Silver -7%, Copper -3%

Bram Hengeveld · Mar 12, 2020

rubaru said:
Everything has been falling 5-15% today. Gold -4%, Silver -7%, Copper -3%

True, but this stock has been falling off the cliff since Feb 20.

BrunoBæ · Mar 12, 2020

guidofoc said:
Looking at China it seems that to contain the virus you need at least 3 months?

You cant conclude from China to more or less the rest of the world.
In the dictatorship China they could close down whole cities with a snap of the (governments) fingers.
And people did 100% obey the harsh restrictions.
In as example Europe and North America people does react in a much more individual and often egoistic way.
Thats one of the reasons the epicenter for the spread of the virus now is not China anymore but Europe - and probably US in a few weeks because of the lack of adequate governmental intervention.

Hoksu · Mar 12, 2020

michelforest said:
Why the entire season?

Sporting events, gigs, all kinds of gatherings of people are being cancelled left right and centre. And there is no sign of the pandemic getting better anytime soon. The season is severely compromised as is and it'll most likely get even worse, several other GP's are under threat, also Ferrari and AlphaTauri are based in Italy which is the worst hit country in Europe, two Haas team members and one from McLaren have tested positive etc.