McLaren Withdraws from Australian F1 Race After Employee Tests for Coronavirus

McLaren Racing have withdrawn from the 2020 Australian Formula One Grand Prix after a member of the team tested positive for the coronavirus.

They confirmed the decision with a statement on Twitter:

The opening race of the 2020 season now appears to be in doubt, with first and second practice scheduled to start on Friday in Melbourne.

According to Philip Duncan of the Press Association, 12 members of the McLaren team are in self-isolation, although they are not currently showing any symptoms of COVID-19.

The employee who tested positive for the coronavirus is said to have traveled from England and was informed of the diagnosis on Thursday night. 

Per BBC Sport, F1 said they are "co-ordinating with the relevant authorities on the next steps" and that their "priority is the safety of the fans, the teams and all personnel at the race."

McLaren's decision comes after defending world champion Lewis Hamilton was critical of the organisers for not postponing the race.

"It's a concern I think for the people here—it's quite a big circus that's come here and it's definitely concerning for me," Hamilton said, per Giles Richards of the Guardian. "Cash is king. I can't add much more to it. I don't feel like I should shy away from my opinion."

In 2019, an estimated 324,100 fans attended Albert Park in Melbourne for the Grand Prix.