Bahrain and Vietnam F1 GPs postponedposted in F113 | 03 | 2020
IN THE WAKE of the Australian Grand Prix being cancelled, the Formula One races in Bahrain and Vietnam have been postponed due to the global spread of the coronavirus. No new dates have been announced for the postponed races. With the Chinese GP on April 19 already postponed, the season is now scheduled to start with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, on May 1-3.
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.
In view of the continued spread of COVID-19 and after ongoing discussions with the FIA, the Bahrain International Circuit, the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Vietnamese Motorsports Association, and the Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation, a decision has been taken by all parties to postpone both races due to take place on the March 20-22 in Bahrain and April 3-5 April in Vietnam respectively.
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, the FIA statement said.
As a result, Formula 1 and the FIA expect to begin the Championship in Europe on May 1, but given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe in recent days, this will be regularly reviewed.
FIA President, Jean Todt, said:
“Protecting people first. Together with Formula 1, the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Vietnamese Motorsports Association, and the local promoters, postponing both the Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix, as with the Australian Grand Prix, was the only possible decision given all of the information currently available to us.
"We continue to rely on the input and advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and governments and will work with them throughout this unpredictable period to safeguard the fans, competitors and all of the motor sport community.”
Formula 1 Chairman and CEO, Chase Carey, said:
“The global situation regarding COVID-19 is fluid and very difficult to predict and its right we take time to assess the situation and make the right decisions. We are taking this decision with the FIA and our promoters to ensure the safety of everyone involved in Formula 1 and our fans.
“The Bahrain Grand Prix is an exciting race in our schedule, and we look forward to being back there as soon as we can. We are also looking forward to Vietnam’s inaugural race and bringing the spectacle of F1 to one of the most exciting cities in the world.”
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Jim McGill