RED LIGHT
THE Australian Grand Prix has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.
Lewis Hamilton had openly slammed the Formula 1 chiefs' decision to go ahead with the race despite the outbreak of the deadly bug.
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But the FIA have now confirmed that the race will not go ahead.
An official statement read: "Formula 1 and the FIA, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) have 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."
Other races have also been hit.
Bahrain, the second race on the calendar, was already taking place behind closed doors but now looks likely to be axed entirely.
The inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix also looks certain to be axed with the country badly hit by the virus.
The Chinese Grand Prix has already been called off.
The next race after that is the Dutch Grand Prix on May 3.
F1 CANCELLATIONS
- Australia Grand Prix - 15 March - CANCELLED
- Bahrain Grand Prix - 22 March - ON VERGE OF CANCELLATION
- Vietnam Grand Prix - 5 April - ON VERGE OF CANCELLATION
- Chinese Grand Prix - 19 April - CANCELLED
- Dutch Grand Prix - 3 May - CURRENTLY GOING AHEAD
MCLAREN POSITIVE TEST
McLaren left the Australian Grand Prix in doubt when they pulled out after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.
A statement from McLaren claimed the team had "prepared for this eventuality" but would not take part in the Melbourne event.
The employee was put in quarantine after they showed symptoms of the killer virus, along with four Haas team members.
But tests conducted on the Haas staff came back negative.
Hamilton had that said "cash is king" as he questioned why the Formula 1 bosses wanted the race to go ahead.
The six-time world champion, 35, said after the cancellation: "Sadly, this is the right decision. No one wants this, we all want to get in our cars and get racing, but we have to be realistic and we must put health and safety first.
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"The reality is, this is serious with people dying every day, lots of people ill and even if they are not ill, many people are being affected financially and emotionally.
"No one really knows the extent of what we are dealing with, but we should all take precautions to keep as many people safe as possible.
"I know it's disappointing, as sport unites us when times are tough, but it's the right call.
"Listen to the advice, everyone, and keep safe. Hope to be back racing soon, but in the meantime, take care of yourselves."
Lewis Hamilton doesn't want to leave hotel room over F1 coronavirus fears as McLaren pull out of Australian GP