UPDATE: The Australian Formula One Grand Prix gas has officially been cancelled. The announcement came an hour after the Victorian Government said fans would not be allowed to attend if it went ahead.
Reports the Australian Formula One Grand Prix was going to be called off at started circulating early on Friday morning.
The uncertainty followed McLaren’s withdrawal from the event after a team member tested positive for coronavirus.
The BBC was told by two senior F1 sources it would not go ahead on Sunday.
Motorsport.com quoted sources saying a majority of the teams were unhappy to continue after McLaren confirmed in a statement released on Thursday night that the team would not race in the Australian Formula One in Melbourne.
“The majority but not all of the stakeholders are in favour of this option,” a source told the AFP.
The Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced just after 9am that fans would not be able to attend the event.
“From a public health point of view, if the event is to be run - I will leave it to Grand Prix officials, the F1 organising body, to make an official announcement,” Andrews told reporters.
“On public health grounds, there will be no spectators at the Grand Prix this weekend - if a race actually happens at all.
“Now (organisers) are making the choice between no event or an event without fans.”
Among the official drinks partners of the event are St Hugo, Heineken, Red Bull, Gordon’s and Laurent Perrier.
This morning, Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott issued the following statement:
"The Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Formula 1 have been advised by the Victorian Chief Health Officer of the results of tests relating to eight personnel from the Formula 1® Paddock. Of these eight tests, seven individuals have returned a negative result confirming that they do not have the COVID-19 virus," Westacott said.
"An eighth individual has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. It has been confirmed that the individual was a member of the McLaren Racing Team. As a result of this, McLaren has announced its withdrawal from the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2020."
"The AGPC is currently in discussions with Formula 1, the FIA and the Department of Health and Human Services in relation to the broader implications of this test result."
"Additionally, a ninth individual has been assessed and tested for the COVID-19 virus, with the results of this test pending. This individual is not associated with any Formula 1® team, the FIA or associated suppliers."
"The AGPC will provide updates as further details become available."
Dark Mofo cancelled
Earlier this week, Dark Mofo cancelled its 2020 festival in Hobart as a result of ongoing concerns around the impact of coronavirus.
The event was due to be held over June and is the first major Australian music festival to be cancelled due to the risk assessments around coronavirus.
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