Hamilton contrasted the decision to press on and race with news that America has banned travellers from 26 European countries, and the suspension of the NBA season.
“So many fans here already today and it seems like the rest of the world is reacting, probably a little bit late,” he said.
“But we are seeing Trump shutting down the borders, the NBA has been suspended, yet F1 continues to go on.”
Hamilton was asked why he thought the race was going ahead as usual and replied: “Cash is king…. honestly, I don’t know.”
The Mercedes driver raised concerns over the health of older members of the paddock — including Sir Jackie Stewart — saying: “I just urge everyone to be as careful as you can be. Touching doors — I hope everyone has hand sanitiser.
“I saw all the fans going on like it was a normal day but I don’t think it is. I really hope we go through the weekend and don’t see any fatalities.”
Thursday brought news that two more Haas team members were being tested for coronavirus, in addition to three others — two from Haas and one from McLaren — who are already in self-quarantine.
However, Hamilton said that the results would not be known until after the race was over. “I heard the result is not going to come back for five days — coincidentally.”