Time for this season's topic.

 

Chinese GP to be cancelled.

 

https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/28670602/chinese-gp-called-due-coronavirus

McLaren are out of the Australian GP

 

https://www.racefans.net/2020/03/12/mclaren-pulls-out-of-australian-grand-prix/

 

27 minutes ago, Mosha said:

McLaren are out of the Australian GP

 

https://www.racefans.net/2020/03/12/mclaren-pulls-out-of-australian-grand-prix/

If I remember correctly there was a report about a week ago that some members of the Ferrari technical team also had contacted the virus and were in quarantine.

 

Race direction has already taken some measures like no signatures etc, I think it's still not too late for the race to be cancelled.

I think there were also four Haas team members tested for the virus. Apparently their tests all came negative.

The race is off.

 

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/f1-australian-grand-prix-2020-cancelled-coronavirus-covid-19-latest-news-mclaren-new-date-when-why/news-story/f4ed36bfbc10229d8b84369e524dcbac?nk=d0350b0518a7a81576aa58b2e6a4cf6a-1584056088

Formula 1, FIA and AGPC announce cancellation of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix

This weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has been cancelled. The news follows McLaren’s withdrawal from the race on Thursday, after one of their team members tested positive for the coronavirus.

 

A statement issued jointly by F1, governing body the FIA and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation read: "Following the confirmation that a member of the McLaren Racing Team has tested positive for COVID-19 and the team’s decision to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix, Formula 1 and the FIA convened a meeting of the other nine team principals on Thursday evening. Those discussions concluded with a majority view of the teams that the race should not go ahead.

 

"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 are 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.

 

"All parties took into consideration the huge efforts of the AGPC, Motorsport Australia, staff and volunteers to stage the opening round of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne, however concluded that the safety of all members of the Formula 1 family and the wider community, as well as the fairness of the competition take priority."

 

Read the full story here.

1 unconfirmed story is that Seb and Kimi left the track before an official announcement

Season start delayed until the end of May.

 

https://f1.com/2020_Season-Start

 

Due to the continued global spread of COVID-19 and after ongoing discussions with the FIA, and race organisers a decision has been taken by all parties to postpone the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Vietnam Grand Prix due to take place on March 20-22 and April 3-5 respectively

Dutch and Spanish Grands Prix organisers in talks with F1 over evolving situation

Following the news that the first four races of the Formula 1 season have been cancelled or postponed, the organisers of the Dutch and Spanish Grands Prix have announced they are in consultation with F1 and the FIA about what the situation means for their events.

 

The Australian Grand Prix was cancelled on Friday morning, after a member of the McLaren team in Melbourne tested positive for coronavirus. That followed the announcement last month that the Chinese Grand Prix, scheduled for 17th - 19th April, was to be called off.

 

And later on Friday morning, both the Bahrain Grand Prix, originally set to be held next weekend, and the Vietnam Grand Prix, planned for the 3rd - 5th of April, were postponed in light of the escalating situation with the virus outbreak.

 

The next two races on the calendar are the Dutch Grand Prix, set for 1st - 3rd May, and the Spanish Grand Prix a week later.

 

And now organisers of both have announced they are in talks with Formula 1 and the FIA about what the current situation could mean for their races.

 

Dutch race officials released a statement on Friday that said: "Based on reports from Formula One Management and FIA, we are in joint consultation with them about the possible consequences for the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix.

 

"These are not yet fully known, but in the event of possible postponement, all tickets will remain valid. As soon as more news is known, we will share it with all parties involved."

 

Read more here.

Does anyone know if True Visions is showing the virtual race this weekend, and what channel? TIA.

Zak Brown: McLaren boss says F1 needs big changes to survive

Quote

Formula 1 is "in a very fragile state" as a result of the coronavirus crisis and needs big changes to survive, McLaren boss Zak Brown says.

"This is potentially devastating to teams, and if [it is devastating] to enough teams - which doesn't have to mean more than two - then very threatening to F1 as a whole," he said.

Cost-saving plans will be discussed at a meeting of F1 bosses on Monday.

Zak went on to say the planed cut to the budget for 2021 needs to go further so will the future of F1 look something like this?

Seen on BBC's ticker bar.

Sebastian Vettel is leaving Ferrari at the end of this season.

3 minutes ago, Mosha said:

Seen on BBC's ticker bar.

Sebastian Vettel is leaving Ferrari at the end of this season.

 

Not really a surprise, after Charles got his extended contract signed.... 

The writing was on the wall last season, Vettel doesn't do well when he has competition.

No problem when he is out front in a dominant car but can't handle any close racing or pressure.

6 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

Not really a surprise, after Charles got his extended contract signed.... 

The writing was on the wall last season, Vettel doesn't do well when he has Ccompetition.

No problem when he is out front in a dominant car but can't handle any close racing or pressure.

Contract talks broke down.

 

 

https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/29163796/sebastian-vettel-leave-ferrari-end-year

 

12 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

Not really a surprise, after Charles got his extended contract signed.... 

The writing was on the wall last season, Vettel doesn't do well when he has competition.

No problem when he is out front in a dominant car but can't handle any close racing or pressure.

 

So Lewis Hamilton is one name being touted. Quold he want to go there, and probably miss out on getting the record from Schumacher?

3 minutes ago, Mosha said:

So Lewis Hamilton is one name being touted. Quold he want to go there, and probably miss out on getting the record from Schumacher?

 

Hamilton has said he has no intention of leaving Mercedes.. 

Things change though and I'm sure every driver wants to be in a red car at some point in their F1 career :)

BBC reports that it's Sainz to Ferrari, and Ricciardo to McLaren.

10 hours ago, Mosha said:

BBC reports that it's Sainz to Ferrari, and Ricciardo to McLaren.

Yes I just read the confirmation of Ricciardo joining McLaren. I think he's a good fit for the McLaren brand and will generate some fun and attention being paired with Lando. The rumour I saw today is that Alonso is to replace Ricciardo at Renault.

Edited May 14, 20206 yr by mark5335

Alex Zanardi in a coma.

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/53115622

Max and Charles say they won't take a knee at the ant

hem. Plus Red Bull show evidence Lewis did not lift off under a yellow flag.

Edit Hamilton starts P5

Edited July 5, 20206 yr by Mosha

Absolutely disgusted to see the BLM and taking a knee cr@p, should not be allowed in sport!!

5 minutes ago, LennyW said:

Absolutely disgusted to see the BLM and taking a knee cr@p, should not be allowed in sport!!

That's why I'm relieved Lewis didn't win. You can bet we'd have seen more virtue signaling on the podium. "I dedicate this win blah blah blah."₩

Several off-topic posts have been removed.

Race day today.

 

 

Here's what time the lights go out where you are...

 

 

And the results were as follows: