The corona virus reaches Formula 1: one race has been canceled, another races in front of empty ranks. But what about the opening weekend in Australia?
- The corona virus * , especially in Asia, messes up the sports world.
- The risk of infection in Formula 1 races is uncertain.
- Various organizers take appropriate measures.
Update from March 9:
The
Formula 1 kick-off weekend
in Melbourne, Australia, despite the ongoing crisis caused by the new
Corona virus
take place with viewers as planned. Race chief Andrew Westacott told local radio station SEN. From Thursday to Sunday's race will be all around the Albert Park
more than 300,000 visitors
expected.
"We have to do things sensibly and move through life while taking the necessary precautions ," said Westacott. The organizers do not want to take any risks. "I don't feel worried at all," said Brendan Murphy, chief medical officer of the Australian government, adding, "I don't think there is a risk at the Grand Prix."
Coronavirus fear in Formula 1: Organizers take drastic measures - which have never been seen before
Update from March 8: Now it is clear: The Formula 1 race in Bahrain takes place without spectators. The organizers of the second race of the season on March 22 are reacting to the current situation surrounding the new corona virus . It is a so far unique measure in the history of Formula 1, as the dpa reports. There will be no spectators when racing on the course in the Sakhir desert. It is already the second race that is specifically affected by the measure because of concern for the Covid-19 virus.
"Security is a top priority," the organizers said in a message on Facebook on Sunday. The decision was made in consultation with international partners and the Kingdom's health crisis team. Ticket sales had already been suspended before (see below).
The Chinese Grand Prix in April has been canceled for the time being, and may be rescheduled for later. It is currently unclear how the race in Vietnam's Hanoi is to take place in early April. The city is only around 150 kilometers from the Chinese border.
Coronavirus fear in Formula 1: Organizer stops selling tickets - TV channels are also taking consequences
Update of March 6: For fear of a further spread of the corona virus , the organizers of the Formula 1 race in Bahrain (March 22) have suspended ticket sales for the time being. The aim is to keep the number of viewers within a reasonable framework of the situation and to be able to comply with the guidelines on minimum distance. This was announced by the Bahrain International Circuit, on which the second race of the season is to be held.
The circuit is working closely with Formula 1 management and the Kingdom's health authorities to continuously assess the situation. It is possible to sell additional tickets at a later date, but also to refund the purchase price for tickets that have already been purchased.
Update of March 4: Due to concerns about the corona virus, RTL recently announced that it would not be accompanying the Formula 1 race in Vietnam on site ( see first report ). Now the private broadcaster announces the next far-reaching decision regarding reporting. The Vietnam Grand Prix will not be the only one that RTL stays away from.
In a statement on its website, the broadcaster explains: “Due to the worldwide and incalculable spread of the corona virus and the risks to the health of colleagues, RTL is reporting on-site at the Formula 1 season opener in Australia and in the second race of the season in Bahrain . ”Instead, the production will be relocated to Cologne.
Coronavirus: RTL team has to take drastic measures at Formula 1 race in Vietnam
First report from February 20: Hanoi - The corona virus is also noticeable in the sports world. After the Grand Prix of China has been postponed indefinitely, the Grand Prix race takes place in Vietnam - not far from the Chinese border . Now a German television station is forced to take consequences.
Corona virus: Private broadcaster refrains from reporting from Vietnam - risk too high
The reports from the private broadcaster RTL will not be produced from Hanoi as planned, but exclusively from the broadcast center in Cologne. The corona virus and its distribution * seem to be incalculable *, especially in large parts of Asia, which is why the broadcaster does not want to take “ risks to the health of colleagues”. This means that no RTL employees will travel to Vietnam, the image material for the entire race will be provided by the organizer.
Coronavirus: RTL gets "no reliable assessment of the situation" from Vietnam
"We have a high level of responsibility for our employees," said RTL sports director Manfred Loppe in an official statement. "When reporting from Hanoi, the risks to their health appear to us to be too great after careful examination." The broadcaster came to the decision after the responsible persons had "asked numerous information points and the bottom line was that we did not receive a reliable assessment of the situation on site to have."
Formula 1 - Formula 1 - Coronavirus: RTL not on site at the Vietnam GP RTL will not attend the third race of the 2020 Formula 1 season in Vietnam on site. The health risk is too great for the people of Cologne because of the corona virus.https: //t.co/YUtZViqXgD
- MG (@MG__Racing) February 19, 2020Coronavirus: Hanoi is the first Formula 1 venue - the Chinese border is only 150 kilometers away
The Vietnam Grand Prix on April 5 is the third race of the Formula 1 season, with Hanoi being the venue for the first time . The race should take place as it stands , even if the city is only 150 kilometers from the Chinese border. The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai had been postponed to an undisclosed time later in the year due to the spread of the corona virus. Due to the virus, caution is also required at other sports events: many tournaments have already been canceled, postponed or relocated, including the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing. Even this year's Tokyo Olympics don't seem to be out of danger.
ajr
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* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Matthias Oesterle