F1 suspended until end of May; Bahrain & Vietnam GPs postponed

“Following the announcement of the Australian Grand Prix’s cancellation this week and the ongoing and fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation globally, Formula 1, the FIA and the promoters have taken these decisions in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern.

“Formula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with the race promoters in Bahrain and Vietnam and the local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve.

“As a result, Formula 1 and the FIA expect to begin the Championship in Europe at the end of May but given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe in recent days, this will be regularly reviewed.”

Bahrain had introduced special measures to allow for the Grand Prix to go ahead despite restrictions on international arrivals into the country.

Entry for team personnel had been granted and thorough medical examinations were planned to be carried out upon F1’s arrival.

The inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix in Hanoi was meant to be the third round of the championship, though the evolving situation around possible transmission has ruled that out.

A McLaren employee tested positive for coronavirus on the Thursday before the now-cancelled Australian race, prompting 14 other team members to go into self-isolation.

F1 released a joint statement just two hours before cars were set to go out on track for practice that the race would no longer be happening.

Preliminary plans are reportedly in the works that would have the Formula 1 2020 season commence at the end of May, with the Monaco Grand Prix being the closest race to that given date. It would mean the summer break is shifted forward to begin now, and rescheduled races moved to take place throughout August.