The Bahrain Grand Prix will be held as scheduled on March 22, but without spectators, the race organisers said as fears over the coronavirus grow. Several global sporting events have been either called off, postponed or will be played behind closed doors as a result of the COVID-19 threat.
The Shanghai Grand Prix scheduled to be held on April 19 has also been postponed. The season opening Australian GP, however, is still due to take place next weekend.
As per reports, Bahrain has reported more than 80 cases of the coronavirus.
“In consultation with our international partners and the kingdom’s national health task force, Bahrain has made the decision to hold this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix as a participants-only event,” the Bahrain International Circuit said in a statement.
“As an F1 host nation, balancing the welfare of supporters and race goers is a tremendous responsibility.
“Given the continued spread of COVID-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travellers and local fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do at the present time.
“But to ensure that neither the sport, nor its global supporter base, is unduly impacted, the race weekend itself will still go ahead as a televised event.”
(With inputs from agencies)
