Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled

ChiragM · 9th March 2020, 17:51

According to a statement from the Bahrain International Circuit, the 2020 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix will be a participants-only event due to the global coronavirus outbreak. There will be no spectators in the stands and the race weekend will go ahead as a televised event.

Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled-baharain-gp-statement-1.png

Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled-baharain-gp-statement-2.png

The Kingdom of Bahrain took the decision after consulting the national health taskforce and international partners. The race weekend would have seen thousands of international as well as local race fans in close proximity.

The Chinese Grand Prix, which was scheduled to be held between April 17-19, 2020, has been postponed due to the outbreak.

Link to Team-BHP News

vb-saan · 9th March 2020, 18:30

Interesting bit is, the season opener (Australia) is expected go on as per plan

rahulcmoulee · 9th March 2020, 18:46

A very sensible decision in my opinion. This ensures the safety of the drivers, staff and the public at large. It ensures that the event still goes on and can be watched on TV without putting people at risk.

turbowhistle · 10th March 2020, 01:06

I expected it somehow, most of the European countries should follow the suit if situation is still not in control. Makes total sense as of now!

GTO · 10th March 2020, 08:04

A highly sensible move and I believe this is the first time something like this is happening

. Hats off to the brilliance of the organisers. After all, TV viewership is what really runs Formula 1 (spectator tickets only help the track owner + host city in terms of tourism).

On the other hand, I am extremely surprised at the shortsighted approach of the Australian GP organisers. I sure hope the grandstands are only 20% or so full, so it teaches them a lesson.

Jeroen · 10th March 2020, 13:05

It is likely to have to continue with no spectators for a while I think.

In the UK and Germany many, much smaller events are being cancelled and or postponed. The famous Classic car show, Techno Classic in Essen, which was to start end of the month announced is to be announced. Over the course of a week it typically attracts about 200.000 people. I believe the German are beginning to cancel any and all event with more than a few thousand people. Same in Switzerland

Whereas no formal government guidelines on events are in place in the UK, yesterday the massive Photographic Show in the NEC in Birmingham end of the month is cancelled too. That very same weekend the NEC would also house the the Practical classics Car & Restoration show. Spanner mate Peter and I have been going, flying over for the day, for the last three years. We got airplane and show tickets ready to go, for months. I am just waiting for them to cancel as well.

This weekend we will have the British Car and Lifestyle show. A two day, always extremely well attended event. I was going to attend, but again, I am just waiting for it to be cancelled as well.

Jeroen

vb-saan · 13th March 2020, 08:28

Australia GP is canceled!
Source

9th March 2020, 17:51	#1
ChiragM Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,538 Thanked: 17,896 Times	Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled According to a statement from the Bahrain International Circuit, the 2020 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix will be a participants-only event due to the global coronavirus outbreak. There will be no spectators in the stands and the race weekend will go ahead as a televised event. The Kingdom of Bahrain took the decision after consulting the national health taskforce and international partners. The race weekend would have seen thousands of international as well as local race fans in close proximity. The Chinese Grand Prix, which was scheduled to be held between April 17-19, 2020, has been postponed due to the outbreak. Link to Team-BHP News
	(8) Thanks

9th March 2020, 18:30	#2
vb-saan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: S'pore/Thrissur Posts: 7,468 Thanked: 13,365 Times	re: Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled Interesting bit is, the season opener (Australia) is expected go on as per plan
	(2) Thanks

9th March 2020, 18:46	#3
rahulcmoulee BHPian Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 300 Thanked: 992 Times View My Garage	re: Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled A very sensible decision in my opinion. This ensures the safety of the drivers, staff and the public at large. It ensures that the event still goes on and can be watched on TV without putting people at risk.
	(3) Thanks

10th March 2020, 01:06	#4
turbowhistle BHPian Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Berlin - Mumbai Posts: 366 Thanked: 1,179 Times View My Garage	re: Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled I expected it somehow, most of the European countries should follow the suit if situation is still not in control. Makes total sense as of now!
	(1) Thanks

10th March 2020, 08:04	#5
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,770 Thanked: 322,394 Times View My Garage	re: Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled A highly sensible move and I believe this is the first time something like this is happening . Hats off to the brilliance of the organisers. After all, TV viewership is what really runs Formula 1 (spectator tickets only help the track owner + host city in terms of tourism). On the other hand, I am extremely surprised at the shortsighted approach of the Australian GP organisers. I sure hope the grandstands are only 20% or so full, so it teaches them a lesson.
	(5) Thanks

10th March 2020, 13:05	#6
Jeroen Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Delhi Posts: 8,921 Thanked: 61,718 Times View My Garage	re: Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled It is likely to have to continue with no spectators for a while I think. In the UK and Germany many, much smaller events are being cancelled and or postponed. The famous Classic car show, Techno Classic in Essen, which was to start end of the month announced is to be announced. Over the course of a week it typically attracts about 200.000 people. I believe the German are beginning to cancel any and all event with more than a few thousand people. Same in Switzerland Whereas no formal government guidelines on events are in place in the UK, yesterday the massive Photographic Show in the NEC in Birmingham end of the month is cancelled too. That very same weekend the NEC would also house the the Practical classics Car & Restoration show. Spanner mate Peter and I have been going, flying over for the day, for the last three years. We got airplane and show tickets ready to go, for months. I am just waiting for them to cancel as well. This weekend we will have the British Car and Lifestyle show. A two day, always extremely well attended event. I was going to attend, but again, I am just waiting for it to be cancelled as well. Jeroen
	(4) Thanks

13th March 2020, 08:28	#7
vb-saan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: S'pore/Thrissur Posts: 7,468 Thanked: 13,365 Times	re: Coronavirus & F1: Bahrain GP to be held with no spectators & Australian GP cancelled Australia GP is canceled! Source
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