The Italian team is seeking confirmation its staff will be allowed to travel, and not face quarantine restrictions, before heading to Melbourne for the March 15 Formula One season opener.
An outbreak of the virus in northern Italy has already affected sporting events across the country, with several Serie A and Europa League matches postponed.
After facing difficulties getting staff members to this weekend’s Bahrain F2 test, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said the Italian racing giant would need assurance from F1 and FIA officials that the coronavirus wouldn’t affect staff travelling to Australia for the event.
“What we will need is simply to have assurance before leaving,” Binotto told Motorsport.com.
“If there are any medical screenings, we need to know about them.
“You need to know exactly what’s about.
“We need to understand what are the consequences in case of any problem.
“Obviously we need to protect our employees.
“We have got collective and individual responsibility towards them.
“And it’s important, really, to make sure that before leaving, the picture, whatever is the scenario, is known and clear.”
Binotto said with Ferrari providing assistance to Haas and Alfa Sauber, as well as their own AlphaTauri team, any issues getting staff to Albert Park would affect others beyond their own garage.
“What will be the situation that if eventually four teams cannot run and if the race will take place or not? That is not my decision,” he said.
Ferrari could also face a roadblock to racing in next month’s Vietnam Grand Prix as the country’s national tourist board has announced that all travellers entering from Italy will be subject to 14 days of medical quarantine due to the coronavirus.
The team has already suspended most business trips as well as all tours of its factory which is located around 100 kilometres from the epicentre the coronavirus outbreak.
So far, F1’s only coronavirus decision has been to postpone the Chinese Grand Prix which was due to take place in Shanghai next month.
