Ferrari takes “precautionary measures” following coronavirus outbreak in Italy

Yes well we could always talk about the diabolical weather we are experiencing of late, us Brits are supposedly good at that eh

Got to try and stay positive, glass half full style, and hopefully we get to see some good racing.

 

And all that sheet because of a disgusting bat soup!

 

Looking likely Italy will be soon joining the travel ban list...it is looking pretty dire for F1 this year....

 

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/148505/qatar-motogp-race-cancelled-due-to-coronavirus

 

They might as well crown Ham and Merc, WDC and WCC already.

 

Well, stay away from oysters too ...

 

This season is screwed.

 

That was a given before the coronavirus.

 

I have a not so pleasant story about oysters. I love oysters and have eaten them in the USA, Italy, Brazil, Monaco, etc., and never had a problem. In one food festival I ate oysters from a French stand and had the worst diarrhea of my life. Fast forward one year later, the same festival, and at THE SAME STAND, I ate again, thinking that the year before was just back luck, but got sick again! I got traumatized and stopped eating oysters for 2 years and just last January ate them again in New Orleans but just because they were cooked.

 

The Modena newspaper site just now:

https://gazzettadimodena.gelocal.it/modena/cronaca/2020/03/07/news/coronavirus-aumentano-i-contagiati-in-arrivo-nuovo-decreto-del-governo-scuole-si-allungano-i-tempi-1.38561954

 

In Italy it is stil possible to travel for work or emergencies. But you are right it is a possible thread not only fo Ferrari as Germany is also considering action to prevent further spread of the virus.

Ciao
Oscar

 

The sea had nothing to do with this.
It is the number of days without women.....

 

Ok! Many days at sea without women! I can see why there was a problem!

 

https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-news-ferrari-f1-hit-another-major-roadblock-threatening-to-derail-its-2020-campaign/

This is a disaster!

 

That's a silly article, very little credibility, just speculation by the author.

Here's a better one: https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/56226/ferrari-employees-granted-permission-to-leave-italy-for-australian-grand-prix.html

Ferrari employees granted permission to leave Italy for Australian Grand Prix

Despite their home province of Modena being quarantined by the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari employees have been allowed to leave the country to attend the Australian Grand Prix.

14 provinces in central and northern Italy and their 16 million inhabitants have been put under quarantine to prevent the coronavirus to spread more than it already has. Italy is the most badly affected country by the virus in Europe, with the death toll rising to 233 and over 1,200 new cases detected in the last 24 hours.

Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte has stated nobody in these provinces is to leave them or indeed the country as a whole unless for working needs or emergencies.

The provinces under quarantine include Modena, the home base of Ferrari. While most of the team are already on their way to Melbourne for next week's Australian Grand Prix, other flights are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, the latter being the day the quarantine takes force.

Ferrari have confirmed, Motorsport.it report, that they have been granted permission to set off for Australia. Whether they are allowed to travel to Bahrain or Vietnam is a different subject, however, with both countries tightening their borders significantly to Italian residents.
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What a great article!

 

And another one, also from today: https://www.pitpass.com/66705/Ferrari-en-route-to-Melbourne

Ferrari en route to Melbourne
Last night's move by the Italian government to stop the spread of the coronavirus by locking down 16 provinces, including that in which Ferrari is based, has led to speculation over whether the Italian team would be prevented from heading to Australia for next weekend's season opener.

The team has now confirmed that while some team members are already in Melbourne and others en route, further squad members will be leaving Italy in the coming days.

“Following measures announced by the Italian government last night, we are monitoring and evaluating the situation and are in close contact with the relevant authorities and all organisations involved," said the team in a statement, according to Motorsport.it.

“For Ferrari, compliance with the government regulations represents the primary guarantee for ensuring the safety of its employees and their families which is our priority," it added. "Every single decision will be made with respect to this principle.

“Part of the team and equipment have already arrived in Melbourne and the departures for the remaining members of the team are going ahead as programmed unless we receive communications to the contrary.”

Among those scheduled to leave on Monday is team boss, Mattia Binotto, along with other senior team members.

Those already in Melbourne are those responsible for building the team's garage and hospitality area, and while they had to undergo mandatory temperature checks on arrival in Australia - which all proved negative - they were allowed to continue on their way.

​

 

The locking down of North Italy for an indefinite period will certainly affect the 2 teams based there (Ferrari and Alpha Tauri) and may compromise their constant participation in the championship.
The restrictions on travel and the imposition of quarantine by the Italian government will prevent the free movement of staff and equipment to races, and between them, and put them at a disadvantage compared to other teams.
I am just wondering what the FIA and Liberty will be able to do to maintain a worthwhile championship this year.
Probably some races will be cancelled, and at others the participation of all teams will be uncertain.
Also a few GPs may have to be held without public attendance (like Bahrain), affecting the revenue for the organisers.
Apart from everything else, all the participants like the FIA, Liberty, the organisers, the circuits the teams, the sponsors, and the TV channels will take a financial hit, and F1 may never be the same again.

 

Imagine what would happen if the UK locks down Silverstone area and counties around it?

F1 would be toast

 

If Ferrari is compromised because of the virus, the season will be hollow!

 

This is bad! The 2020 F1 season is going to be a disaster! Some people might not survive life!

 

Ever optimistic, I hope they can salvage something out of this mess.