The announcement comes after McLaren’s withdrawal from the race on Thursday, as one of their team members tested positive for the coronavirus.
A joint statement issued today at 10:00 am by F1, governing body the FIA and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation said the decision followed a meeting on Thursday to discuss the health emergency.
“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,” the statement read.
“Those discussions concluded with a majority view of the teams that the race should not go ahead.
“Formula 1 and the FIA, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) have therefore taken the decision that all Formula 1 activity for the Australian Grand Prix are cancelled.
“We appreciate this is very disappointing news for the thousands of fans due to attend the race and all ticket holders will receive a full refund and a further announcement will be communicated in due course.
“All parties took into consideration the huge efforts of the AGPC, Motorsport Australia, staff and volunteers to stage the opening round of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne, however concluded that the safety of all members of the Formula 1 family and the wider community, as well as the fairness of the competition take priority.”
Fans were quick to express their anger at the last-minute decision, with many having already lined up at Albert Park Circuit this morning to gain entry to the opening day of the major event.
“What a mess this is. Fans travelled from all over the world to see the race,” one person wrote on Twitter.
However, others agreed with the move amid the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 4700 people globally.
“Feel sorry for the drivers, teams, media and above all, fans. This worldwide health issue is a major concern and it’s sensible to cancel the #AusGP,” another user wrote.
Prior to the announcement, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had stated that no fans would be allowed into the Albert Park precinct if the race went ahead.
“On public health grounds, there will be no spectators at the Grand Prix this weekend if a race actually happens at all,” Andrews told 7News Sydney.
“That is a matter for them [race organisers] and they will make announcements very soon.”
The news comes as a relief to six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who on Thursday evening expressed his concerns over the race potentially going ahead, while suggesting financial considerations are the reason why.
“I am really very, very surprised that we are here,” Hamilton told a press conference in Melbourne.
“For me, it is shocking that we are all sitting in this room.
“It seems like the rest of the world is reacting … you see the NBA has been suspended, yet Formula One continues to go on.
“We bring quite a big circus here. It’s definitely concerning for me.”
When asked why he thought it was going ahead Hamilton pointedly noted: “Cash is king. I can’t add much more to it. I don’t feel like I should shy away from my opinion.”
Concerns have been raised regarding the rest of the 2020 Formula One season as the coronavirus continues to spread rapidly.
