Formula 1 also postponed the Grands Prix of Bahrain and Vietnam on Friday. The GP of the Netherlands in Zandvoort is now the first race on the calendar, although the corona virus poses a serious question mark.
“Formula 1 and the FIA expect the season to start in Europe in late May, but due to the significant increase in the number of infections in Europe in recent days, we will continue to discuss this,” the organizations said in a statement.
The FIA and Formula 1 decided earlier on Friday after long deliberations to end the opening race in Melbourne this weekend because of the corona virus. McLaren had already withdrawn at the time because a team member had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The Bahrain GP was scheduled to finish without a crowd next Sunday, but the Formula 1 teams are currently reluctant to travel the world. “I think it would be difficult for teams to go to Bahrain,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Motorsport.com.
The first Vietnam Grand Prix is scheduled to be held on the Hanoi Street Circuit on April 5. The China GP, which was scheduled for April 19, had already been postponed. The Dutch Grand Prix on the renovated Zandvoort circuit is scheduled for May 3.