Official Coronavirus Discussion thread

tim3003 · Post by **tim3003** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 10:54 am

Lewis Hamilton and other F1 drivers have now said they do not think the Australian GP should be going ahead. Given that Australia is so far relatively isolated from the main spread of the virus and it is probably not practical to cancel with fans on their way, the race will presumably run. However I think this might just be the last race for some time. The rise in cases globally is so rapid it now looks hard to argue that most or even all of the first half of the season shouldn't be cancelled.

Many other global sports are now cancelling events. F1 team members are starting to be affected by the virus too. Vettel has said the drivers will pull the plug on F1 if no-one else does. An outbreak of cases resulting from a GP would be a PR disaster. Surely it's a bad reflection on the sport if only the drivers have the guts to advocate doing the right thing...

Covalent · Post by **Covalent** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 10:56 am

I think it's likely most of the races before the summer break will be cancelled/postponed.

mikeyg123 · Post by **mikeyg123** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:22 am

I think we will get Australia and Bahrain and then who knows. Certainly any European rounds until at least June are looking unlikely.

backdoc · Post by **backdoc** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:35 am

https://twitter.com/lukesmithf1/status/ ... 10626?s=21

Over ladies and gentlemen

pc27b · Post by **pc27b** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:35 am

yep, a very modified season will occur shortly.
in the usa, a nba player just tested positive....season suspended until further notice. NCAA basketball has just announced a drastic fan reduction at games i imagine major league baseball will too. lots of insurance companies going to be paying out boatloads of cash

looks like McLaren and haas have team members awaiting test results. oz may not happen if any of them are positive

McLaren have withdrawn from the race. i too expect liberty will suspend the season until after summer break like the post above stated

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 12:03 pm

Haas team members have been cleared now.

Option or Prime · Post by **Option or Prime** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 12:41 pm

So since McLaren have withdrawn even if the race goes ahead no points will be awarded, is that right?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51849163

A_Game_A_Day · Post by **A_Game_A_Day** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:02 pm

Option or Prime wrote:So since McLaren have withdrawn even if the race goes ahead no points will be awarded, is that right?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51849163

I think the regulations only require a minimum number of entrants, much like a championship only requiring 14 events out of 22 to go ahead. (Though admit I'm too lazy to find the exact rule).

However it might not be too great a leap given Brawn's statement when Ferrari were at risk of not participating:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51727401

Although whether he could do that in contradiction to the FIA rulebook would be another discussion.

A_Game_A_Day · Post by **A_Game_A_Day** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:05 pm

Actually curiosity got the better of me:

FIA Sport Regs 2020:
"5.4 The maximum number of Events in the Championship is 22, the minimum is 8."
&
"5.7 An Event may be cancelled if fewer than 12 cars are available for it."

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:12 pm

A_Game_A_Day wrote:
Option or Prime wrote:So since McLaren have withdrawn even if the race goes ahead no points will be awarded, is that right?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51849163
I think the regulations only require a minimum number of entrants, much like a championship only requiring 14 events out of 22 to go ahead. (Though admit I'm too lazy to find the exact rule).

However it might not be too great a leap given Brawn's statement when Ferrari were at risk of not participating:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51727401

Although whether he could do that in contradiction to the FIA rulebook would be another discussion.

I guess a vote of the teams on whether to proceed would work?

Blinky McSquinty · Post by **Blinky McSquinty** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:16 pm

The FIA just cancelled this coming weekend's WEC race at Sebring.

Yellowbin74 · Post by **Yellowbin74** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:19 pm

Option or Prime wrote:So since McLaren have withdrawn even if the race goes ahead no points will be awarded, is that right?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51849163

If a team was prohibited from racing, it would be a non championship race.

If a team withdraws themselves, then it's a championship race.

That's how I understand it to be (could be wrong though).

Personally I think it's going to be a tough year with many cancellations.

shay550 · Post by **shay550** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:34 pm

What a disaster that could have been prevented by F1 chiefs. The season should have been postponed last week.

Option or Prime · Post by **Option or Prime** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:39 pm

JN23 wrote:
A_Game_A_Day wrote:
Option or Prime wrote:So since McLaren have withdrawn even if the race goes ahead no points will be awarded, is that right?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51849163
I think the regulations only require a minimum number of entrants, much like a championship only requiring 14 events out of 22 to go ahead. (Though admit I'm too lazy to find the exact rule).

However it might not be too great a leap given Brawn's statement when Ferrari were at risk of not participating:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51727401

Although whether he could do that in contradiction to the FIA rulebook would be another discussion.
I guess a vote of the teams on whether to proceed would work?

I was referring to this statement:

https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/28 ... oronavirus

Is it the same thing?

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:50 pm

Option or Prime wrote:
JN23 wrote:
A_Game_A_Day wrote:
Option or Prime wrote:So since McLaren have withdrawn even if the race goes ahead no points will be awarded, is that right?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51849163
I think the regulations only require a minimum number of entrants, much like a championship only requiring 14 events out of 22 to go ahead. (Though admit I'm too lazy to find the exact rule).

However it might not be too great a leap given Brawn's statement when Ferrari were at risk of not participating:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/51727401

Although whether he could do that in contradiction to the FIA rulebook would be another discussion.
I guess a vote of the teams on whether to proceed would work?
I was referring to this statement:

https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/28 ... oronavirus

Is it the same thing?

McLaren haven’t been denied entry, they could still race so in theory if we take Ross Brawn’s comment the race will go ahead (when the comment was made). I think, don’t know if anyone interpreted it differently.

I actually expect this to change now and the race cancelled.

Zazu · Post by **Zazu** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 2:09 pm

The race will be cancelled

Going to be far too much pressure on F1 and Victoria state

shay550 · Post by **shay550** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 2:40 pm

This is a move I would expect from Bernie and Max - Thought Liberty would be better than this.

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 4:02 pm

Race currently postponed http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51849163

Post by **Mod Aqua** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 5:00 pm

I have renamed this thread to the "Official Coronavirus Discussion Thread" as it was already basically a general discussion about the matter, and it makes sense to have a single place for people to post their feelings and opinions as the story develops.

I have also created a sticky thread for updates only, where people are free to post links to credible sources as there are developments: http://forum.planet-f1.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15882

Schumacher forever#1 · Thu Mar 12, 2020 5:15 pm

Shame they waited so long. I wonder how many Europeans, and especially Italians, have already travelled to Melbourne for the event.

M44 · Post by **M44** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 5:41 pm

Nothing from the FIA or Liberty yet?

Syholl · Post by **Syholl** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 6:59 pm

Daily Mail is reporting it as definitely cancelled

Syholl · Post by **Syholl** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 7:00 pm

https://trib.al/YraMmbB

M44 · Post by **M44** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 8:20 pm

Seems crazy that all media outlets are carrying this cancellation and yet nothing from the FIA or Liberty/F1? Seen nothing from the drivers or teams yet either. Seems to be radio silence. Even journalists at the Prix are unsure?

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 8:29 pm

M44 wrote:Seems crazy that all media outlets are carrying this cancellation and yet nothing from the FIA or Liberty/F1? Seen nothing from the drivers or teams yet either. Seems to be radio silence. Even journalists at the Prix are unsure?

Just posted on the other thread that part of me wonders if some (Liberty) are desperate to get the race on and negotiations are ongoing, hence the silence.

M44 · Post by **M44** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 8:35 pm

JN23 wrote:
M44 wrote:Seems crazy that all media outlets are carrying this cancellation and yet nothing from the FIA or Liberty/F1? Seen nothing from the drivers or teams yet either. Seems to be radio silence. Even journalists at the Prix are unsure?
Just posted on the other thread that part of me wonders if some (Liberty) are desperate to get the race on and negotiations are ongoing, hence the silence.

Guarantee its money related.

pc27b · Post by **pc27b** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 9:55 pm

some 10 hours ago, early morning in the chicago, il area, i read a mclaren employee is corona positive. not sure what liberty/fia is up too, but 10 hours away from news/internet and now nearly everything is getting cancelled, i'm wondering why the cancellation hasn't happened?
let people know, so they don't bother driving to a race that ain't gonna happen

simonr23 · Post by **simonr23** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 10:07 pm

Apparently Vettel and Kimi have boarded a plane already.

purchville · Post by **purchville** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 10:42 pm

M44 wrote:
JN23 wrote:
M44 wrote:Seems crazy that all media outlets are carrying this cancellation and yet nothing from the FIA or Liberty/F1? Seen nothing from the drivers or teams yet either. Seems to be radio silence. Even journalists at the Prix are unsure?
Just posted on the other thread that part of me wonders if some (Liberty) are desperate to get the race on and negotiations are ongoing, hence the silence.
Guarantee its money related.

Organisers will want their $80-100m refund from someone if it's scrapped

Syholl · Post by **Syholl** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:10 pm

There are probably people right now getting on airplanes to go and watch this. Why are they taking so long to announce the inevitable????!

Azi · Post by **Azi** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:16 pm

https://twitter.com/Burgrid7/status/123 ... 07872?s=09

This about sums it up!

simonr23 · Post by **simonr23** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:23 pm

F1 cancelled. It’s on the fia website apparently. Local broadcasters read the statement.

TedStriker · Post by **TedStriker** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:57 pm

So what's the longest gap between F1 races in the modern era? Think that record may be broken in the next few weeks/months.

Mercedes-Benz · Post by **Mercedes-Benz** » Fri Mar 13, 2020 2:48 am

Bahrain should go as per schedule. They are not even going to allow any spectator on the track

Not sure about Vietnam. Hopefully rest of the season will not get affected. Probably they will need to have restriction on international spectators or something

Blake · Post by **Blake** » Fri Mar 13, 2020 3:12 am

I am curious. Is F1 going to wave the tens of millions fees they charge venue to host events? The crowds (tickets & concessions) are the only revenue the tracks have to recoup their fees. Why should any venue pay $30 million (+/-) to F1 to let the sport use their track. As I understand it, the tracks don't get any of the TV revenue.

I have a difficult time imagining a sporting event, ANY sporting event without fans present. I prefer to have them postpone/suspend/cancel the events, personally.

iano · Post by **iano** » Fri Mar 13, 2020 5:32 am

Mercedes-Benz wrote:Bahrain should go as per schedule. They are not even going to allow any spectator on the track Not sure about Vietnam. Hopefully rest of the season will not get affected. Probably they will need to have restriction on international spectators or something

I doubt Bahrain will go ahead.
It quite certain Vietnam will not go ahead... but as i posted few days ago...
---
China - postponed
Holland - 82 cases now. Estimated cases by race day...between 1,000 and 10,000 ..in other words it could be worse than Italy is now. Questionable
Spain 1200 cases now. On this base, by race day over 1 million cases is possible. I assume drastic measures will keep actually figures far lower, but drastic measures will be needed and will impact having a race.
Monaco - surrounded by France, which is in a similar situation to Spain. My prediction: again, no race
.....

Further forward no races will happen if current trends continue...but there is a least some hope of some change to current trends
But in reality..... the season as we think of seasons is over

iano · Post by **iano** » Fri Mar 13, 2020 5:40 am

Australia now cancelled.
Bahrain - already McLaren cannot attend, and rest of the drivers will not wish to either.
Vietnam is not better than Australia was 2 weeks ago.... so with an extra two weeks.....not going to happen

From a previous post i made a few days ago..
--
China - postponed
Holland - 82 cases now. Estimated cases by race day...between 1,000 and 10,000 ..in other words it could be worse than Italy is now. Questionable
Spain 1200 cases now. On this base, by race day over 1 million cases is possible. I assume drastic measures will keep actually figures far lower, but drastic measures will be needed and will impact having a race.
Monaco - surrounded by France, which is in a similar situation to Spain. My prediction: again, no race
.....

So even if something magical takes place after Monaco...... the first 7 races already missed

A season at all is not realistic. The whole 'world wide travelling roadshow' simply does not work

You could potentially pick one circuit and avoid all the travelling and hold races there......but where?
Everyone getting in planes and continually travelling just can't happen.

So how do the pieces get picked up?
Reality is, this may not be sufficiently over for 2021 for a sport with the structure of F1
The chaos of a cancelled season could even see some teams fold....even the whole of F1 as we know it dissapear all together or for a few years

Zazu · Post by **Zazu** » Fri Mar 13, 2020 6:03 am

The season was going to be a snoozfest with Mercedes dominating and teams stopping development to focus on '21.

Its bad situation but couldnt have happened in a better year

From a personal pov I want Monaco and Singapore to go ahead as I have tickets and holidays booked

AravJ · Post by **AravJ** » Fri Mar 13, 2020 7:47 am

Given this decision I don't think we will have a GP this year. Bahrain closed doors is probably not an option if it was not an option in Australia.

Harpo · Post by **Harpo** » Fri Mar 13, 2020 8:22 am

The solution is not televised GP taking place behind closed doors, because the problem now* is not the crowd attending the event but thousands of people from teams and organization travelling world wide.
The whole 2020 season will be called off.

* And since the beginning, if you ask me - it took inept decision-makers looking only at their bank account to think otherwise.