Raikkonen: "We shouldn't have gone, but it's not up to us to decide"

Kimi Raikkonen is not satisfied with Formula 1. According to him the Australian Grand Prix should have been cancelled much earlier because of the coronavirus. In the end the race was only cancelled just before the start of FP1.

Drivers, team staff, media, sponsors and fans were already present on the track. It was packed at the entrances to the bleachers, for a virus to spread. Alfa Romeo driver Raikkonen says the only choice was to cancel the race against Auto Hebdo. "They had no other choice. The decision should have been made much sooner."

"We shouldn't have gone, but it's not up to us", Raikkonen continues. "We drivers follow what the FIA and F1 decide. If there's a race we'll go there." However, rumours were already circulating that Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, among others, were on the plane home before the race was officially cancelled.

Raikkonen emphasizes that the current situation is not only difficult for Formula 1. "It's hard for everyone", he says. "At the moment the most important thing is that everyone stays healthy. As soon as this pandemic is over the time will come for questions. I hope this crisis brings something positive. Until then we can only try to protect ourselves and continue."