F1 curtain-raiser finally called off after Lewis blast
LEWIS HAMILTON finally prompted the Australian Grand Prix to be called off at the end of a long and contorted day for Formula One Down Under. The divisive decision was eventually made after a coronavirus case was confirmed in the darkness of the Melbourne night. It is an outcome the sport’s owners, Liberty Media, had guarded obstinately against in the defiant belief that the bubble they control could defy the rules which govern the rest of the world. A contentious meeting lasting two-and-a-half hours between team principals and Liberty’s motorsport chief Ross Brawn concluded with the decision that an unnamed McLaren mechanic being diagnosed with the illness put paid to any hope the season’s opening race at Albert Park could take place on Sunday. Three teams — Red Bull, their sister team AlphaTauri, formerly Toro Rosso, and Racing Point — voted for the race to carry on but were outgunned seven to three. The majority fell in line with the practice of sporting events around the globe, which have being called off on an industrial scale over the last few days. It is understood that health authorities in the state of Victoria, responsible for the Melbourne race, were involved in the conversation, promoted by McLaren’s declaration that they were withdrawing from the event as a result of their man’s illness. The framing of the cancellation — or postponement — was still being finalised last night, with millions of pounds resting on who — Liberty, the governing FIA or the promoters — take responsibility for the no-show. The individual at McLaren is British and is confined to his hotel room. It is understood he has come into contact with about a dozen members of his team. Speaking before the news, world champion Hamilton said F1 were putting lives at risk by even thinking of pressing ahead with the race,
sighing ‘cash is king’. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel went a step further, suggesting he and the other drivers could boycott the event if the virus threat deepened.
Sportsmail understands nine F1 people with symptoms have provided swabs. Liberty, ludicrously, refused, prior to the McLaren bombshell, to say what results, if any, had been returned. Through this appalling smog of obfuscation, Hamilton led the grid’s piercing denunciation of the season opener, as was then still the case, going ahead as scheduled. The six-time world champion said: ‘I am really very surprised we are here. It is shocking that we are all sitting in this press conference room. There are so many fans here already today. ‘It seems like the rest of the world is reacting, probably a little bit late, but we have seen Trump shut down the borders from Europe to the United States, the NBA has been suspended, yet Formula One continues to go on. Cash is king. I don’t know why we are here. I don’t feel like I should shy away from my opinion. ‘I just urge everyone to be as careful as they can be in terms of touching doors and surfaces. This is not a normal day in the paddock. I saw Sir Jackie Stewart (who is 80) in the lift looking fit, healthy and well, and other elderly people. ‘I hope they and the fans stay safe and we go through this weekend and don’t see any fatalities or things coming out in the future.’