FIA top man: "GP does not need to be cancelled in case of infection during F1"

The Australian Grand Prix was cancelled in March when it became known that an employee at McLaren was infected with the coronavirus. Nine other Grand Prixs were then postponed or cancelled, but there is no need to fear the same scenario again.

The head of the medical committee of the FIA states in conversation with L'Equipe that future Grands Prix will not have to be cancelled if someone in Formula 1 gets infected. Professor Gérard Saillant claims that significant progress has been made in detecting the coronavirus and the measures to be taken in that case.

Optimism at FIA

Saillant thinks that Formula 1 can therefore be continued even in the event of a positive test on the paddock. "The situation has evolved since Australia", he says in conversation with the French newspaper. "As far as I'm concerned the Grand Prix doesn't have to be cancelled then. It's like saying to me that the subway is closed because a passenger tested positive there".

The FIA is currently working on a health and safety plan and according to Saillant, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) is particularly interested in the plans for the pinnacle of motorsport. In all probability, Formula 1 will be the first major international sporting event since the coronavirus outbreak.