Opening act in Melbourne cancelled; Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and VinFast Vietnam Grand Prix postponed. Additional communication as of 14 March informs that the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2020, Formula 1 Gran Premio De España 2020 and Formula 1 Grand Prix De Monaco 2020 also will be postponed. The Monaco final race was supposed to be held on 24th May.

Formula 1, FIA and Australian Grand Prix Corporation have issued a joint statement regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix.Following the confirmation that a member of the McLaren Racing Team has tested positive for COVID-19 and the team’s decision to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix, a meeting was convened on Thursday eveningwith the other nine team principals.A majority held the view that the race should not go ahead. While everyone was mindful of the the huge efforts of the AGPC, Motorsport Australia, staff and volunteers to stage the opening round of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne, the safety of all members of the Formula 1 family and the wider community, as well as the fairness of the competition ultimately gained priority.

Soon afterwards, the FIA, the Bahrain International Circuit, the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Hanoi People’s Committee the Vietnamese Motorsports Association, and the Vietnam Grand Prix Corporationshared their decision to postpone Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and VinFast Vietnam Grand prix, due to take place on the 20th – 22nd March in Bahrain and April 3rd – 5th April in Vietnamrespectively.

Formula 1 and the FIA still expect to begin the Championship in Europe at the end of May but will keep reviewing the status considering the increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe.