(Motorsport-Total.com) – Formula 1 has garnered a shitstorm in Australia with its handling of the corona virus. At the latest after the positive test by a McLaren employee , the worries were so great that a cancellation seemed inevitable for many. For many it was incomprehensible why the cancellation only took place shortly before the start of the Friday training, when many followers were already on the track.
Other voices say that Formula 1 should not have been allowed to fly to Australia at all. This includes ex-team boss David Richards, who is now head of the British Automobile Association: “I was honestly surprised that the decision was not made earlier,” he says to 'RaceFans' .
It was obvious to him a week before the planned Broad Prix that the event would probably be inappropriate. “It would have been better for everyone to have taken the initiative and canceled it in advance, rather than being forced to snappily at the last minute,” he says.
Trip to Australia was correct
FIA President Jean Todt defended however, the procedure of Formula 1: “I think that it was the right decision to travel to Australia,” he says in an exclusive interview with 'Motorsport-Total.com'. “When the decision to leave came, there was no reason not to go to Australia.”
Photo gallery: Formula 1 races that had to be canceled
That was it with the Australia GP 2020. After a positive Corona case at McLaren, the Formula 1 world is waiting for a cancellation. However, this only comes twelve hours after the team's withdrawal. However, many followers are already back on the track and show how they were kept from making the decision. Formula 1 is embarrassing itself. Photo gallery
That the self-discipline is all about that Nobody could have predicted that Corona virus would develop so quickly with the McLaren employee who tested positive. But it can also be explained by Todt that the cancellation after the incident lasted so long: “The medical authorities have stated that there is no reason to change the program at the weekend.”
The FIA President was on the road with other projects of the association at the time, but kept in touch with those responsible in Melbourne by phone. Only on Friday morning there was enough certainty that the race should not be held.
Todt and the question of guilt
The Frenchman doesn't blame anyone for the self-discipline: “It's the easiest thing to blame people at this time “There was a mayor election in France a week later. And frankly, France was much more affected than Australia before,” he says. “I find it unfair to criticize what happened in Australia.”
The question now is how Formula 1 can avoid repeating the scenario. It is still unclear when the premier class can start again, but for Todt it is clear that a lot of flexibility and creativity is necessary. And: “It is important that we can accept the wrong choice and mistakes. But I don't think Australia is a mistake.”
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Nevertheless you have to learn from Melbourne and also from other races. It reminds us of the example of the Mexico Rally who was canceled during the event: “I remember being called at night and there was trouble on Tuesday. Honestly, I don't know the reason why we ended the rally on Saturday evening and not on Sunday,” he says .
“We probably wanted to find an answer to the emotions of the participants and show leadership because there was no real need to cancel Sunday at that time,” said Todt.
The detailed exclusive interview with FIA President Jean Todt will be published on Motorsport-Total.com on Monday.
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