McLaren withdraws from the Australian GP
The Woking-based team issued a press release concerning its decision to pull out of the Australian GP, after a team member tested positive for Coronavirus.
McLaren officially withdraws from the Australian GP after one of its employees in Melbourne tested positive for Coronavirus. On the contrary, all tests on four Haas team members gave negative results.
The Woking-based team quickly reacted to the high-risk circumstances by pulling out of the event, whose precautional measures are still exposing teams, drivers, media and fans to the possibility of contracting the infectious virus.
Here is the statement in full:
"McLaren Racing has confirmed this evening in Melbourne that it has withdrawn from the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, following the positive test of a team member for the coronavirus. The team member was tested and self-isolated as soon as they started to show symptoms and will now be treated by local healthcare authorities.
The team has prepared for this eventuality and has ongoing support in place for its employee who will now enter a period of quarantine. The team is cooperating with the relevant local authorities to assist their investigations and analysis.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, and Andreas Seidl, Team Principal of McLaren F1, informed Formula 1 and the FIA of the decision this evening. The decision has been taken based on a duty of care not only to McLaren F1 employees and partners, but also to the team’s competitors, Formula 1 fans and wider F1 stakeholders".
