Haha, congratulations of inventing a reason to knock Lewis in all this I'm sure if Lewis said little/nothing and had been the first to silently abscond (ala Kimi) you would have pilloried him for that too Anyway, as if often the case - Lewis plays the role of elder statesmen very well...he was of a very few to speak thoughtfully, openly, earnestly.
Well said. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Hamilton haters look at any opportunities to spread their virus. That gives very little credit to their credibility on this forum.
Until not so long ago [or I may be showing my age] the Championship consisted of on 16 races; and I AM comfortable with that. Every race counts even more now.
I agree with you there. I followed F1 when there was 8 or maybe 10 GPs a year. The championship wasn't poorer for it, and every race felt very special. I think now there is some sort of inflation of GPs, and the attraction is devalued.
Honestly, I can't see how any race could be happening before at least september for the countries that started with it early...and I'm even not convinced these countries will be out of their misery at that time. The season is toast. Rgds
The global economy will take a massive hit by the look of things. The consequences of coronavirus are akin to a world war paralysing countries. F1 is just a footnote compared to that.
In view of the continued global spread of COVID-19 and after ongoing discussions with the FIA, the Bahrain International Circuit, the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Hanoi People’s Committee the Vietnamese Motorsports Association, and the Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation, a decision has been taken by all parties to postpone both races due to take place on the 20th – 22nd March in Bahrain and April 3rd – 5th April in Vietnam. Following the announcement of the Australian Grand Prix’s cancellation this week and the ongoing and fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation globally, Formula 1, the FIA and the promoters have taken these decisions in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern. Formula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with the race promoters in Bahrain and Vietnam and the local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve. As a result, Formula 1 and the FIA expect to begin the Championship in Europe at the end of May but given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe in recent days, this will be regularly reviewed. Formula 1 Chairman and CEO, Chase Carey, said: “The global situation regarding COVID-19 is fluid and very difficult to predict and its right we take time to assess the situation and make the right decisions. We are taking this decision with the FIA and our promoters to ensure the safety of everyone involved in Formula 1 and our fans. The Bahrain Grand Prix is an exciting race in our schedule, and we look forward to being back there as soon as we can. We are also looking forward to Vietnam’s inaugural race and bringing the spectacle of F1 to one of the most exciting cities in the world.” FIA President, Jean Todt, said: “Protecting people first. Together with Formula 1, the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Vietnamese Motorsports Association, and the local promoters, postponing both the Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix, as with the Australian Grand Prix, was the only possible decision given all of the information currently available to us. We continue to rely on the input and advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and governments and will work with them throughout this unpredictable period to safeguard the fans, competitors and all of the motor sport community.”
Isn’t that you by the Mini lorry? . Congrats on remaining a fan over the years, I was 6 when I attended my first race and caught the bug immediately. Loved the Rob Walker reports in R/T and British magazine race reports the odd time we’d get them this side. Image Unavailable, Please Login
My first championship race was the 1961 Belgian GP at Spa. A reward from my godfather for my good school results !!
A late-night phone call between Daimler CEO Ola Kallenius and Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff changed the fate of the Australian Grand Prix, Autosport has learned. In the wake of a McLaren team member being confirmed as having contracted coronavirus, the Woking-based outfit withdrew from the F1 season opener on Thursday night. That move triggered a meeting between the other teams for talks with F1 managing director of motorsport Ross Brawn at the Crown Hotel in Melbourne to discuss what should happen next. With FIA president Jean Todt joining the meeting via telephone, it was agreed that the fate of the F1 season opener would rest on what a majority of teams wanted to do. The only circumstances under which the race could be cancelled by the governing body and F1 was if a further four teams withdrew from the race.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner says Formula 1 considered putting the paddock in 'lockdown' in attempts to continue with the Australian Grand Prix, but did not get the teams' support. In the wake of a McLaren team member contracting coronavirus, the Woking-based outfit withdrew from the season opener in Melbourne. That move prompted late-night talks on Thursday with the other nine teams, plus F1 and FIA chiefs, to discuss the next steps. Speaking to Autosport about those discussions, Horner said that he had been in favour of pushing on under certain circumstances - which included an event sealed off to anyone but F1 personnel. "Obviously we discussed the different scenarios," he said. "There was a discussion of locking the paddock down and taking further precautions. "The health authority and the FIA were okay to continue, if the majority of teams were okay with it. But unfortunately that didn't happen."
Australian Grand Prix chief Andrew Westacott will discuss the possibility of rescheduling the race for later in the year with Formula 1 following its cancellation. Officials from the FIA, F1 and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation called off the race on Friday just two hours before the planned start of practice, after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the F1 paddock on Thursday evening. A member of the McLaren team tested positive after showing symptoms, and has been placed into a two-week quarantine with 14 further team members who had been in close contact with the individual. F1 is monitoring the viability of upcoming races, but the season could now start as late as June, followed by a significant rescheduling of the calendar. Asked if the Australian Grand Prix had been scrapped completely for 2020, AGPC CEO Westacott said the announcement of the cancellation had been deliberately worded to avoid confusing fans. "It's important to say that we used the word cancellation because of the immediacy of the timing of it," said Westacott.
Everyone (airlines, cruise ships. tour operator, passengers) was waiting to see who would blink first. There was a local story about a family that was supposed to go on a cruise, but wanted to cancel because of the COVID19 situation in Asia. At that time (the end of January), the cruise line was not cancelling cruises and if the family wished to do so, they would lose about $40k. Then the Princess cruises got quarantined and there were more COVID19 infections. Finally, the cruise line cancelled the cruise.
Anyone arriving in Oz gets 14 day mandatory self isolation, amazing that they were even contemplating the race to go ahead.
They could do sporting events without public attendance, and that may even catch on in future. No crowd control necessary, no football hooligans, no vandalism, minimal police presence, there is an upside to it.
Nice ! My first race was Watkins Glen 1968. I was just about 10 months old... don't remember it, but have pictures showing me there with my mom & dad. first race I remember - 1970 GP at Watkins Glen.... been to every F-1 race at WG from 1968 to the end. only Us GP I missed was Dallas. My dad's first GP race was Sebring in 59... he's been to all of them except the ones at Indy and COTA. ( in his 80's now.)
My first GP was Watkins Glen 1973. My last was COTA 2013, will not attend Hybrid era **** show races.
