SPORTS
Australian Grand Prix to go ahead despite coronavirus concern, minister says
Baku, March 3, AZERTAC
The Australian Grand Prix will go ahead next month despite concerns that the spread of coronavirus may impact the start of the Formula One season, the Victorian government has said, according to the Guardian.
Concerns about the viability of the season are growing with the spread of the outbreak in northern Italy, where Ferrari and the Alpha Tauri team are headquartered. On Wednesday local time, Italian authorities said the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases had surged to 400, with 12 deaths.
The Formula One chief executive, Chase Carey, told reporters that the three opening races — Melbourne, Bahrain and Hanoi — would go ahead.
Opening three races of F1 season under threat from spread of coronavirus
“We’re heading to Melbourne, heading to Bahrain and heading to Hanoi,” he said.
The track in Albert Park has been under construction for a month and the Victorian sports minister, Martin Pakula, said the race would go ahead as planned.
“Melbourne is the only city in the world to host a Formula One race and a Grand Slam tennis tournament, and we look forward to the Grand Prix celebrating 25 years at Albert Park on March 15,” Pakula said.