Commentary

Formula 1 Australian GP

Podcast: What really happened behind the scenes in Melbourne

The cancellation of the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix due to the coronavirus pandemic proved to be a chaotic and farcical episode.

Edited: Apr 20, 2020, 11:36 AM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Racing Point personnel pack away their equipment on the pitwall

The outbreak of COVID-19 has played havoc with the motorsport world, with numerous series forced to cancel and postpone races. F1 fully intended to carry on with the Australian GP, but not even the pinnacle of motorsport could avoid getting caught up in the coronavirus situation.

After a McLaren team member was diagnosed with the virus on Thursday, overnight meetings ensued between F1 and team bosses – with confusion reigning as to the outcome of these talks.

Read Also:

With fans queuing outside the circuit on Friday morning as organisers were adamant the event was going ahead, despite reports to the contrary, the race was eventually canned.

F1 now faces numerous big questions on the cancelled race and what happens next.

In the latest Autosport Podcast, Autosport's Grand Prix Editor Alex Kalinauckas delves into what happened behind the scenes at Albert Park with Autosport's F1 Reporter Luke Smith, Motorsport.com's F1 Editor Jonathan Noble and Motorsport.com's Australian Editor Andrew van Leeuwen...

 

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 Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article How F1 can slot lost races back into the calendar

Next article The phone call that sealed Australian GP's fate

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news



NASCAR warned nearly the full field at Talladega for minimum speed violations

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

41 min

NASCAR warned nearly the full field at Talladega for minimum speed violations



Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

4 h

Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega



Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

5 h

Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville



Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

8 h

Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways

Feature

Discover prime content



The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027



A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP



How Verstappen and Antonelli were both “surprised” in United States GP qualifying

Formula 1

United States GP

By Stuart Codling

How Verstappen and Antonelli were both “surprised” in United States GP qualifying



What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

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:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe