THE F1 COVID THREAD: Will GP be cancelled?

[Peter Mallett]

I remind the learned gentleman of the SARs outbreak in 2000.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Also as billions were spent on these cars...maybe they should be considering postponement of the entire season rather then the piecemeal cancelling of certain races.

I don't understand what you mean here. Why not still hold the races were there is no problem? Surely the reasons for doing so are the same as normal? And what does the cost of the cars matter here?

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I remind the learned gentleman of the SARs outbreak in 2000.

Admittedly time fades memories, but was SARs like this?

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I don't understand what you mean here. Why not still hold the races were there is no problem? Surely the reasons for doing so are the same as normal? And what does the cost of the cars matter here?

Which venues are not affected though? At the least, increased travel is a concern.

lets say Vientam is safe, would they attract more visitors if it was postponed after the crisis subsided instead of being held in the midst of it?

I would think that would be better. Maybe not though.

[chillibowl]

Sorry...forgot to answer your question lol

I guess i was thinking that collectively more money can be made and thus a better return on the cars via postponement rather then canceling individual races.

Agreed that moment is not at one cancelled race but it is increasingly looking like more races will have to be cancelled.

[Moneyseeker]

Qatar Moto GP race cancelled due to the virus.. bear in mind it was next week (8th March) and cancelled today, which means we could see F1 GP's cancelled at relatively short notice. Support races going ahead as the teams and riders are already there, which shows that it may well be travel restrictions to the race rather than the situation in the actual country itself that could impact on F1 as well.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Random but related question, and excuse my lack of geographical and traffic knowledge, but did the Ferrari trucks have to drive through the effected areas of northern Italy to get back to base ahead of packing up for the flight to Aus?

Also I’ve seen reports of major ports in Asia not accepting vessels that have visited effected areas, I believe Pirelli sea freight tyres out to the “fly away” destinations well in advance, Have all of these made it safely into their respective ports of entry?

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Why just Italians? There are outbreaks in the USA, UK, and other places. You can't restrict one nationality

If Chinese citizens are banned from travelling into many countries, or at least subject to 14 days quarantine, why shouldn't Italian citizens be?

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Ferrari getting twitchy and seeking assurances from FOM.

Why not simply require a 14 days quarantine for high-risk Italian personnel? [Or indeed the Italian teams may choose not to bother to attend with such a quarantine restriction.]

Other personnel and teams can still attend the race without impediment.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Why just Italians? There are outbreaks in the USA, UK, and other places. You can't restrict one nationality since there are many ways to travel and as far as I know Italians aren't banned from traveling.

Well given that multiple countries have actually done exactly that, Iran and China are also on the list. Italian was used as that's the country with F1 ties that had larger scale reported infections. And WELL beyond the numbers in other countries at the current time. But hey, if you want to be offended instead of reading the news, that's on you.

[Peter Mallett]

Not offended just cant are the logic. Either its worldwide or not. Nationality means nothing.

[E.B]

I dont know if the test is an instant answer type test (like a roadside breathalyser / drug test) or whether it is like a blood test where you get results in a couple of days, but surely the Ferrari / Alpha Tauri / perceived risk personnel could, if it be instant be tested prior to check in at the airport, or if it's a delayed result be tested a few days prior by a doctor, and if they come up clear they get a medical clearance certificate they can travel if they show positive obviously they cant.

That way seems fairer more satisfactory and less discriminatory manner than a blanket no you are Italian / whatever, you are guilty until proven innocent type system they seem to currently have. Im sure the teams / F1 would pick up the cost of such tests.

Or is that too simplistic?

Put forward with no knowledge of incubation periods for this virus.

[Casper]

If Melbourne goes ahead which seems likely at this point and added cases happen in Australia traced back to the event I wonder what will happen then. For certain the least that can happen is a lot of people trying to cover their backside and if deaths were to occur a lot of people trying to dodge bullets so to speak. I will take off my tin foil hat now and leave the room.

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by E.B

I dont know if the test is an instant answer type test (like a roadside breathalyser / drug test) or whether it is like a blood test where you get results in a couple of days, but surely the Ferrari / Alpha Tauri / perceived risk personnel could, if it be instant be tested prior to check in at the airport, or if it's a delayed result be tested a few days prior by a doctor, and if they come up clear they get a medical clearance certificate they can travel if they show positive obviously they cant.

That way seems fairer more satisfactory and less discriminatory manner than a blanket no you are Italian / whatever, you are guilty until proven innocent type system they seem to currently have. Im sure the teams / F1 would pick up the cost of such tests.

Or is that too simplistic?

Put forward with no knowledge of incubation periods for this virus.

I don’t think the test picks up the virus if it is in the incubation stage which can last 14 days.

[Another Bob]

Ive got tickets to the Australian GP so that is my first worry.


All sea freight such as tyres and garage equipment left their respective ports months ago and are probably in Melbourne now.


All air freight as well from Europe & UK shouldn't be a problem either, so the cars will be here.


The real problem is the drivers and team personnel.



If I was heading a team I would be getting all my personnel to Australia NOW.


Country's are very quickly planning and enacting quarantine restrictions as we speak.


So if teams get personnel here to Australia, and like I said I would be doing that now, then the only thing that will cause a cancellation of the Australian GP is if we have a outbreak in Melbourne like they have had in northern Italy.



Figures crossed I hope not on many levels.



On other GP's, I would be surprised if China is the only cancellation this year.


Not that I want to see any of them cancelled, but I can see it coming.

[Go Harder.]

Agreed Bob. Teams and drivers should be looking to get here asap.


That said, if we end up with cars here but short a few drivers, I'm available

[Another Bob]

Go Hard,
I'd put my hand up but probably stall it or prang it on the straight!!!



Lets hope everyone gets here in good health and spirits.



I'm looking forward to a great weekend, even if I have to drink Heineken through a face mask!!

[S griffin]

It will be an interesting weekend. I'm sure they will all be there. Let's hope the situation dies down in time. Australia is usually a great event and hopefully everyone will have a good time regardless

[bella]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

Random but related question, and excuse my lack of geographical and traffic knowledge, but did the Ferrari trucks have to drive through the effected areas of northern Italy to get back to base ahead of packing up for the flight to Aus?

i mean, i followed a lad in a truck into calais the other day who had very likely been to a dodgy bit of northern italy, and he went through check in, inspections and customs quicker than me and got on the boat with no issues. there doesn't seem to be a particularly solid road transport procedure.

i'd been to an area where there were no cases, but at no point was i asked about my journey. i'll be doing an event with a bunch of italians next week, so we'll see how that goes.

the f1 teams are currently in the dark, which is making it really difficult for the staff who are posted on those events. will the teams legally have to supply disinfectant and masks? lots of interesting questions.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by bella

i mean, i followed a lad in a truck into calais the other day who had very likely been to a dodgy bit of northern italy, and he went through check in, inspections and customs quicker than me and got on the boat with no issues. there doesn't seem to be a particularly solid road transport procedure.

i'd been to an area where there were no cases, but at no point was i asked about my journey. i'll be doing an event with a bunch of italians next week, so we'll see how that goes.

the f1 teams are currently in the dark, which is making it really difficult for the staff who are posted on those events. will the teams legally have to supply disinfectant and masks? lots of interesting questions.

Not sure masks and disinfectant would be a legal requirement per se. Certainly a moral and health and safety requirement as a minimum. If they want to keep their personnel then it would be daft not to take whatever precautions are necessary.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

It will be an interesting weekend. I'm sure they will all be there. Let's hope the situation dies down in time. Australia is usually a great event and hopefully everyone will have a good time regardless

We're just under two weeks away from Melbourne and not wanting to be alarmist, the rate at which this is spreading makes me have my doubts.

It's not the mortality rate, as this seems to affect the elderly and those with serious health problems but the number of people who will get ill and therefore be unable to either participate, or officiate in the race. Then there is Vietnam, with its close proximity to China and its the third GP on the calendar,.

[broadrun96]

The statements this morning from the Australian GP organizers are everything will proceed as planned. Australia has instituted a restriction on visitors who have been to China and Iran but not Italy, all three have the same WHO concerns so why leaving out one country? The Qatari MotoGP race was cancelled because of 2 week quarantine and Thailand was recently cancelled as well. I just get this feeling the race isn't going to be run and more and more feeling like a significant portion of the season won't be run.

[RWill2073]

Originally Posted by Another Bob

Go Hard,
I'd put my hand up but probably stall it or prang it on the straight!!!



Lets hope everyone gets here in good health and spirits.



I'm looking forward to a great weekend, even if I have to drink Heineken through a face mask!!

Just don't drink corona's......

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by RWill2073

Just don't drink corona's......

Whatever happened to the Amber Nectar?

[Casper]

Vietnam have placed a 14 day quarantine on travellers from Italy.

[Alan52]

PM said tonight they are reviewing travel bans on a daily basis and Italy definitely sounds like it is on the agenda.Albert Park not assured yet.
Re Vietnam.Does that mean that after Bahrain -presuming it happens-the 2 Italian teams won’t be able to return to base?Will that be enough to trigger cancellation.Also where are the Pirelli staff based?