Positive coronavirus case in the F1 paddock won't cancel a race - Carey

  • Published on 03 Jun 2020 08:57
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey states that any confirmed case of COVID-19 within the sport's paddock would not lead to a cancellation of a race.

Almost four months ago at the Australian Grand Prix, which was the original season opener for the 2020 campaign, a McLaren team member tested positive causing the team to withdraw from the race.

The event was eventually cancelled altogether, as were the following nine grands prix. On Tuesday, F1 unveiled a calendar that will kickstart the 2020 season.


MOREF1 outlines its safety plan to restart the 2020 season

MORECarey asserts F1 not after 'gimmicks' in talks over reverse grid races


And should a new case be confirmed within the paddock during the restart, Carey insists that it will not lead to a race cancellation.

“An individual having been found with a positive infection will not lead to a cancellation of a race,” Carey told Formula1.com.

“We encourage teams to have procedures in place so if an individual has to be put in quarantine, we have the ability to quarantine them at a hotel and to replace that individual.

“Some things we’d have to talk through and work through. The array of ‘what ifs’ are too wide to play out every one of them, but a team not being able to race wouldn’t cancel the race. I don’t think I could sit here and lay out the consequences.

“But we will have a procedure in place that finding infection will not lead to a cancellation. If a driver has an infection, [teams have] reserve drivers available.

“We wouldn’t be going forward if we were not highly confident we have necessary procedures and expertise and capabilities to provide a safe environment and manage whatever issues arrive.”

The first batch of races will all be held behind closed doors, as is the case with major sporting arenas worldwide

Carey says that F1 must take “careful steps” to ensure fans can return to F1 races in the future.

“We’d like to have fans at the events,” he said. “But we’re not going to have fans at our first events so it’s certainly not going back to life as we know it.

“I think it is about taking careful thoughtful steps, with appropriate protection and procedures around it to begin to move forward in the world we know.”

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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
See full schedule

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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  • Date of b. Nov 22 1953 (71)
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