Ferrari: No change in plans for Melbourne attendance despite Italy coronavirus lockdown

  • Published on 09 Mar 2020 09:15
  • comments 1
  • By: Coilin Higgins

Ferrari has said that its intentions to travel to Melbourne for the F1 season opener next weekend will go ahead as planned, despite a recent lockdown put in place in Northern Italy in an effort to contain the recent coronavirus outbreak.

The Italian government recently announced a total lockdown for fourteen provinces in Nothern Italy, with the Modena region where Ferrari is based, included in the list.

It is understood that a number of Ferrari personnel have already arrived in Melbourne ahead of next weekend's Australian Grand Prix, with the remaining members set to leave Italy before the lockdown was enforced.

MORE: Bahrain GP to be held without spectators

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte ordered all public businesses and amenities in the affected areas to be closed and that all public events to be suspended for the length of the lockdown.

However, in a recent statement acquired by Autosport from Ferrari on Sunday, the team announced it's intentions to continue ahead with departing for Melbourne, and stressed that it respects the decisions being made by the government.

“Following measures announced by the Italian Government last night, we are monitoring and evaluating the situation and are in close contact with the relevant authorities and all organisations involved," the statement read.

“For Ferrari, compliance with the Government regulations represents the primary guarantee for ensuring the safety of its employees and their families which is our priority. Every single decision will be made with respect to this principle.

“Part of the team and equipment have already arrived in Melbourne and the departures for the remaining members of the team are going ahead as programmed unless we receive communications to the contrary.”

On Sunday morning, circuit organizers at the Bahrain International Circuit announced that the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix will be held with no spectators in attendance due to the coronavirus concerns.

Formula E also announced a postponement of the Rome ePrix, due to take place on April 4 around the streets of the city.

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • So glad the AusGP is going ahead with full contingent - it would be meaningless without a full turn up. Hope this doesn't change.

    • + 0
    • Mar 10 2020 - 11:13

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar