Breaking news
Formula 1
Tost: Unfair to race in Australia without full grid
Formula 1 chiefs would be "unfair" in letting the Australian Grand Prix go ahead with a reduced grid if some teams cannot make it there because of coronavirus travel restrictions, says AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost.
Jonathan Noble
Published: Mar 2, 2020, 3:18 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
While a host of major sporting events, including the MotoGP season opener in Qatar, have been called off because of coronavirus, the latest news from Australia is that F1 is pushing on with its season opener on March 15.
But amid a quickly developing situation, especially with Italy being the source of a major outbreak of the virus, there is a risk that some team personnel could yet struggle to make it to the early season races if travel bans or strict quarantine rules are put in place.
It was Qatar's decision to quarantine Italian citizens for 14 days on arrival in the country that prompted MotoGP to call off its race there.
Struggles for Italian staff could prompt an unprecedented situation where teams like Ferrari and AlphaTauri cannot get enough personnel to races to run their teams, while other outfits are all good to go.
It is unclear how F1 would react in a situation where one or two teams could not compete, but Tost is adamant that it would not be fair for the race to go ahead in those circumstances.
Asked by Motorsport.com if there were any assurances about what would happen in that scenario, Tost said: "If [some] teams can't run for whatever reason, and I have not thought about this and also I'm not a decision maker, but then I think it would be unfair to start the season.
"This is a big disadvantage for whoever it is."
With F1 already struggling to find a slot later in the year for the postponed Chinese Grand Prix, any change of plans for other races would almost certainly mean them dropping off the calendar.
However, Tost says F1 could still use the August summer break or extend the season well into December to find space for races.
"I'm optimistic that we will have the 22 races because in November and December we have a lot of time where we can do races – and also August," he added.
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said that any problem for his staff getting to races would likely have an impact on its customer teams too – so an issue for Italy could affect four outfits in total.
"I say it's not only two [teams] because we are supplying assistance to Haas and the Alfa Sauber team, so it will be four teams at least, plus the Pirelli situation which we need to understand.
"So what will be the situation that if eventually four teams cannot run and if the race will take place or not? That is not my decision."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Steiner: F1 will ensure Australian GP goes ahead
Next article Haas: Start to season will decide F1 team’s future
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Racing Bulls
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Liam Lawson disqualified from F1 qualifying in Mexico – here's why
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Liam Lawson disqualified from F1 qualifying in Mexico – here's why
Latest news
Charles Leclerc blames Mexico GP clash on track layout - Fred Vasseur disagrees
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
56 min
Charles Leclerc blames Mexico GP clash on track layout - Fred Vasseur disagrees
Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak set for WRC return as Toyota announces bumper 2027 line-up
WRC
WRC WRC 1 h
Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak set for WRC return as Toyota announces bumper 2027 line-up
Why NASCAR's indecision led to Dodge's decision to return to Cup
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
4 h
Why NASCAR's indecision led to Dodge's decision to return to Cup
Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 7 h
Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe