Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn says a grand prix will not be held if a team is denied entry to a country, amid travel restrictions imposed by some nations due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Formula 1 has already moved to postpone the Chinese Grand Prix, originally planned for April, on account of Covid-19, but the greater issue in recent days has been on restricted access.
The season-opening Australian Grand Prix is set for March 15, Bahrain a week later on March 22, and Vietnam a fortnight thereafter on April 5.
Bahrain issued updated entry information on Tuesday, mirroring that recently outlined by Vietnam, clarifying that those who had visited certain countries within the last 14 days would face restrictions.
That list includes Italy – where Ferrari, AlphaTauri, Pirelli and major suppliers are based – as well as major connecting hubs Hong Kong and Singapore.
Organisers in Bahrain requested information from all Formula 1 personnel on Tuesday as it attempts to work with its government to implement specific measures for those affected.
“If a team is prevented from entering a country we can’t have a race,” Brawn told Reuters.
“Not a Formula 1 world championship race, anyway, because that would be unfair
“Obviously if a team makes its own choice not to go to a race, that’s their decision.
“But where a team is prevented from going to a race because of a decision of the country then it’s difficult to have a fair competition.”
Brawn confirmed that Formula 1 had advised teams to “minimise the number of people in the paddock”, and that discussions are ongoing with the promoter of the new-for-2020 Vietnam round.
“They want the race to happen but also they’ve got to protect their population,” Brawn said.
“So we’re looking at what solutions we can find to make sure everybody is comfortable with the arrangements,” he said.
“There’s a lot of things going on at the moment and it changes on a day-by-day basis. It’s difficult to be definitive now but we’re going to find solutions.”
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