Australian Grand Prix is officially cancelled
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After hours of speculation and confusion, the Australian Grand Prix has been officially cancelled.
Red Bull Racing and the rest of the F1 paddock were in Melbourne for the curtain-raiser, but after McLaren withdrew from the event after a member of their team tested positive for coronavirus, it threw the rest of the event into doubt.
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Hide AdChristian Horner was among the team principals who met on Thursday night to discuss whether the race should go ahead. But with no information conveyed to fans, they began congregating outside the Albert Park circuit in anticipation of seeing the first free practice session. The gates did not open however, and the fans were left to wait outside until a statement was made.
The sport's governing body, the FIA, released a statement this evening (UK time) to confirm the race would be cancelled less than two hours before FP1.
It read: "Formula 1 and the FIA, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) have therefore taken the decision that all Formula 1 activity for the Australian Grand Prix is cancelled.
"We appreciate this is very disappointing news for the thousands of fans due to attend the race and all ticket holders will receive a full refund and a further announcement will be communicated in due course."
READ THE FULL STATEMENT HEREThe next race, in Bahrain, is due to take place behind closed doors next weekend, while the Chinese Grand Prix has already been postponed.