I think Ross said the other day that if all teams can't get to the races then they won't take place. What he didn't say was if a team decides not to participate the race would or would not go a head!!!
Quote: Australian GP organisers and F1 officials are currently holding talks over the next steps with a decision on whether the race will go ahead, postponed or cancelled expected imminently. from https://www.crash.net/f1/news/93737...nisers-confirm-nine-people-tested-coronavirus. Appears 8 were tested and 7 all clear 1 McLaren team member had +ve test!! I think there is only 12 hrs to go for 1st practice!!
I recently came back from travels to Canada (week ago last Friday), I looked at my insurance offer when booking and turned it down since it did not cover epidemics or pandemics. The WHO organisation classifying COVID 19 as a Pandemic I am convinced was in response to lobbying from Insurance companies. Am I cynical? yep, Am I right? probably. Classified as a Pandemic now I think will put all organisations in a different place regarding the legal financial impacts of cancelling. We may be surprised at what unfolds now.
It wouldn't surprise me at all, I don;t think people realise quite how powerful the insurance companies are, all the health and safety rules are less about a person's wellbeing, more about how much it saves insurance companies. The 'nanny state' is really the insurance company shareholders state.
No sure to 'Like' the post or not. While I think the crowd are fairly safe statistically wise, I think maybe the compromise would have been have the race with no spectators.
BBC reporting aus gp cancelled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51849163 Lots of conflicting info...
From https://au.motorsport.com/f1/news/australian-gp-coronavirus-called-off/4743214/ The Australian Grand Prix is set to be called off following a team meeting in Melbourne on Friday night, high level sources have revealed. Just hours after McLaren withdrew from the race following one of its staff members being confirmed as having coronavirus, F1 team bosses got together to discuss what to do. Motorsport.com understands that in the talks with the FIA and F1 teams, a majority of squads said they were unhappy to continue with the event. Sources indicate that the governing body said it would accept a majority decision of the teams so would now move to call off the event. Sounds like there was a vote from teams and a majority decision! Seems strange that FIA/liberty/Teams or promoter not making public statements
Unfortunately in this day and age they are dammed if the cancel dammed if they don't Either way there are going to be big financial penalties. I did read somewhere, not about F1, that as WHO has declared it a pandemic some insurance policies exclude cover for pandemics!!!!!
Yes, It was me who stated the Insce companies, following my read of some recent policies. I reckon there is a contractual clause giving one or both parties a get out. I suspect the fans won't get their money back and who knows about the TV rights. Someone, with sufficient clout, has worked out they are not financially disadvantaged, IMHO. I have been known to be wrong, we will see.
Lots more press reporting the cancellation but formula1.com still running countdown clock and only news of McLaren pulling out!!
What an absolute mess. Consequences for more races. 2 week incubation, 2 weeks ill, then some others will be infected...come back end of May. Meanwhile, everybody, inc Merc, have revealed their specials, other have enough time to develop similar solutions.
Can't believe FIA haven't made an announcement yet!! So are they going to Bahrain next is Vietnam still on the cards? Will Max's first home race be the first of 2020? update: Less than 5 hrs to go to 1st practice and no FIA announcement!!!!