The official Formula 1 drivers’ autograph session at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix has been changed to limit the risk of spreading the Coronavirus.
Drivers are required by the rules to be available for an “autograph signing” event with fans at race weekends. However this will be replaced with a question and answer session in Melbourne.The ‘Melbourne Walk’, where drivers often engage with fans during the race weekend, will continue to operate, however the circuit announced drivers “will not be closely interacting with fans for selfies, autographs or other direct engagement.”
RaceFans understands teams have advised their drivers to avoid close interaction with others as far as possible. However multiple teams confirmed they will continue to operate their usual paddock facilities without additional restrictions.
Formula 1’s presence in Australia has attracted criticism as other events worldwide have been cancelled due to Coronavirus, including a third round of the Formula E championship announced earlier today. The Bahrain race promoters have already announced their race will be held behind closed doors with no spectators present.
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2020 F1 season
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JohnH (@johnrkh)
11th March 2020, 7:31
Keith what do you know about the team members from McLaren and Haas being tested and put into self isolation? This could really throw a spanner into the works as the report said they had been mixing with other people in the paddock.
Chaitanya
11th March 2020, 7:57
I was just wondering about those, and whats wierd is they probably arent from Italy at all.
Jere (@jerejj)
11th March 2020, 13:54
@Chaitanya Probably not indeed since both teams have their factories in England, although Dallara is from Italy.
Chaitanya
12th March 2020, 3:43
Doesnt Dallara have a operation unit in UK apart from their HQ in Italy? It would be interesting to find travel history of Haas staff who apart from McLaren staff are infected by Covid-19.