Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, has officially been labelled a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation, and yet the Formula 1 race season is still going ahead, for now...
The season opener begins this weekend in Melbourne, yet five team members of various teams along the F1 grid have been told to self isolate, amid fears of having contracted the virus, results have yet to be published but teams have said they are continuing their usual weekend routines.
Formula 1, the FIA and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) are monitoring the situation. Andrew Westcott, AGPC chief, said on Monday that the event will go ahead as normal, along with the attendance of fans. However, there will be no driver meet and greets, instead they will be replaced by on stage driver appearances.
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have been very outspoken during Thursdays press conference. When asked about the Coronavirus and whether the Grand Prix should go ahead, the six time world champion responded with, "I am very, very surprised we are here. It's great we have races but it's shocking we are sitting in this room." One journalist asked why he thought Formula 1 was going ahead, his response was short, "cash is king."
Sebastian Vettel, four time world champion, is one of three directors of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, which takes a collective stance on key issues within Formula 1. When asked about his own stance on the Coronavirus situation and what his view would be if the situation worsened, "My stand would be hope it doesn't get that far. If it gets that far, you'd pull the handbrake." Sebastian also questioned the Australian Grand Prix, "It is very difficult having a fair judgment, but I do realise a lot of sporting competitions get cancelled and it's fair to ask the question why are we here. We have to trust the FIA (motorsports governing body) and for them to take all the precautions, but the answer no one can give you is how much can you control what is going on."
Sporting events around the world are being postponed and even cancelled, already Formula E has postponed three of their races: Indonesia, China and Italy. Whilst Formula 1 has postponed the Chinese Grand Prix after much deliberation in conjunction with the Shanghai Sport Association. In that time, Bahrain has also announced their Grand Prix will be going ahead but will remain as a 'closed event', which means that fans will not be allowed to attend. Instead only participants, team members, media and medical staff will be allowed.
The Vietnam Grand Prix is also at risk of being postponed, meetings are currently being held over the status of the Grand Prix's debut. Whispers around the Paddock suggests that if the Vietnam Grand Prix is cancelled, Bahrain may hold two Grand Prix's to compensate.
With such an ever changing situation, the FIA has set up a 'Crisis Cell' that meets every two days to analyse and assess the Coronavirus situation and Formula 1's response. But with doubts from the reigning world champion, Lewis Hamilton, and four time world champion, Sebastian Vettel, already evident, how far can Formula 1 keep going?
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