Formula One organizers have announced it would start the season's break early in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. CEO Chase Carey has issued a formal apology Tuesday following the cancelation of the season-opening of the Australian Grand Prix and early races this season.
While the delay is nothing different from the F1 summer break, which typically goes for two weeks during July and August, F1 had to schedule it earlier than the usual plus an extension of one week. This means that the break will last for 21 days, in which time teams will halt all factory operations and development.
The Australian Grand Prix, the season's first race, has been previously canceled after it was found that a McLaren ream member has contracted the coronavirus. The good news is that the team member who tested positive has now recovered, according to a statement made earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Carey apologized to fans citing the risk health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Bahrain and Vietnam Grand Prix races quickly were postponed. Bahrain was scheduled to begin on Friday - at an empty track - and the inaugural Vietnamese GP in Hanoi on April 5.
"We apologize to those fans affected by the cancellation in Australia, as well as the postponement of the other races to date," Carey wrote in an open letter to fans on the F1 website. "We also want to extend our thoughts to those already affected, including those in the Formula 1 family."
Fans basked in the chaos in Melbourne last week with some waiting at the gates to get a glimpse of the first two practice sessions of the race when the late decision was announced that the event would be postponed. Thousands of fans were still outside when teams started to pack up inside the paddock.
Despite the several race cancelations, F1 and the FIA said that the season should be back by late May. However, with both Alpha Tauri and Ferrari teams coming from Italy, where the largest number of cases of COVID-19 outside China are recorded, it's quite difficult to imagine how the 2020 season will return after the early and extended break.
Over the past week, a lot of sports organizations and events have announced cancelations and postponements in order to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. This includes the NBA season and March Madness college basketball tournament in the United States.
