Red Bull Racing's rivals withdraw from F1 season opener due to coronavirus

The start of the 2020 F1 season has been thrown into doubt after McLaren withdrew from the Australian Grand Prix on Thursday due to coronavirus.

One member of the McLaren team tested positive for the virus and self-isolated. However the team felt it right to withdraw from the 2020 curtain-raiser in Melbourne.

Four members of the Haas team had also shown symptoms of the virus but were cleared.

"The decision has been taken based on a duty of care not only to McLaren F1 employees and partners, but also the team's competitors, F1 fans and wider F1 stakeholders," a statement from McLaren read.

A spokesperson for the FIA said: “We’re currently assessing the situation and will update when we can.”

A meeting between team principals, including Red Bull's Christian Horner, is set to be held today (Thursday).

Both Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, who have 10 world championships between them, questioned why the race was going ahead when other sporting events are being postponed.

Ferrari driver Vettel said: "It is very difficult having a fair judgement, but I do realise a lot of sporting competitions get cancelled and it is fair to ask the question why you are here.

"We have have to trust [motorsport's governing body] FIA and for them to take all the precautions but the answer no one can give you is how much you can control what is going on."

Hamilton added: "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."