After a day of mixed messages, Formula 1 finally confirmed that the 2020 Australian Grand Prix had been cancelled. Just hours before the start of FP1, the FIA and F1 released the news. McLaren were unable to race after a member of their team had tested positive for the coronavirus. Most teams didn't want to race, but three were ready to go.
We are racers
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Alpha Tauri and Racing Point were willing to continue the weekend as long as local health authorities did not discuss a ban, Motorsport.com reports. A leading member of one of these teams said, "We are racers and we are here to race."
On the night before the first free practice sessions, the teams spoke to Ross Brawn. The F1 leader had already indicated that he wanted to cancel the race if some teams did not want to participate. So from this conversation, it emerged that three teams were not necessarily against the cancellation.
Slow response FIA
The FIA's slow and inadequate response to the release of the official new met with a lot of criticism from reporters around the paddock. Since not all teams agreed, the decision culminated in a long discussion between F1, FIA and the board of Victoria, Australia. The question of who would bear the responsibility, in particular, turned out to be a long conversation.