We thought it would happen, and it’s happened. The Rolex Australian Grand Prix, scheduled to be held in Melbourne this weekend, has been cancelled. Formula 1 confirmed the news on its website this morning.
The McClaren team withdrew from the race on Thursday, after one of its team members tested positive for the coronavirus. This led to much speculation about whether the entire event would be called off.
In a joint statement, F1, governing body the FIA and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation said, “Following the confirmation that a member of the McLaren Racing Team has tested positive for COVID-19 and the team’s decision to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix, Formula 1 and the FIA convened a meeting of the other nine team principals on Thursday evening. Those discussions concluded with a majority view of the teams that the race should not go ahead.”
All those who’ve purchased tickets will receive a full refund, and “a further announcement will be communicated in due course”.
More to come.
