F1 confirms postponement of Bahrain, Vietnam rounds

  • Published on 13 Mar 2020 13:32
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

The very first Vietnamese Grand Prix has been postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, as well as the round in Bahrain.

On Friday morning in Melbourne, officials confirmed that the opening race of the year had been cancelled, casting doubt over the upcoming events in Bahrain and Vietnam.

Bahrain announced that it would host its race behind closed doors, however that possibility became unlikely after a McLaren team member tested positive for COVID-19 in Australia.

A statement read: “Following the announcement of the Australian Grand Prix’s cancellation this week and the ongoing and fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation globally, Formula 1, the FIA and the promoters have taken these decisions in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern.

“Formula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with the race promoters in Bahrain and Vietnam and the local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve.”

F1 added that it is targetting to start the season at the end of May in Monaco, however the situation could change due to the rise of confirmed cases in Europe.

“The global situation regarding COVID-19 is fluid and very difficult to predict and it's right we take time to assess the situation and make the right decisions,” said F1 CEO Chase Carey.

“We are taking this decision with the FIA and our promoters to ensure the safety of everyone involved in Formula 1 and our fans.

“The Bahrain Grand Prix is an exciting race in our schedule, and we look forward to being back there as soon as we can. We are also looking forward to Vietnam’s inaugural race and bringing the spectacle of F1 to one of the most exciting cities in the world.”

Every F1 race must be cancelled till a hope for containment arises.

  • 1
  • Mar 13 2020 - 15:54

Replies (2)

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  • Every F1 race must be cancelled till a hope for containment arises.

    • + 1
    • Mar 13 2020 - 15:54
  • Another option would be to let the non-exposed teams race, but make the races not count towards the titles. A bit riskier than a full stop, but still very viable. But for now it'd be better with a sharp quarantine (us labrats and healthcarers won't be affected regardless), for a month, and then see how things are. China claim they have things under control now, though it remains to be seen..

    • + 0
    • Mar 14 2020 - 13:29

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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