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

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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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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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
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Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
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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
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United Kingdom Silverstone
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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
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