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Formula 1 President Jean Todt says F1 are protecting people first

Formula 1 President Jean Todt says F1 are "protecting people first"

13-03-2020 12:43
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Formula 1 have just announced that races in Bahrain and Vietnam will be postponed. While the Dutch Grand Prix will not happen at the start of May, as F1 bosses say they are looking at starting the 2020 F1 season at the end of May. Jean Todt says the sport are "protecting people first" by this cancellation. 

“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," he said in the statement. 

"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 motorsport community.”

But races will happen eventually

One of Liberty Media's targets was to introduce the sport to new areas. F1 was set to travel to Vietnam for the first time ever, but that has now been delayed. In wake of this, Chase Carey confirms the race will happen eventually. 

“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," Carey said. 

"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," Carey added.