How Formula E set an example for F1 to follow
Formula 1 endured an embarrassing 48 hours as confusion and disinformation surrounding the now-cancelled Australian Grand Prix reigned after a McLaren team member was diagnosed with COVID-19. As world motorsport - and Formula E in particular - has shown, examples were set that F1 could easily have followed.
F1 looked increasingly cumbersome as each hour passed following McLaren's withdrawal from the Australian Grand Prix. The absence of meaningful communication and proactivity in the lead up to the race's eventual cancellation sent social media into a tailspin. Commercial deals were presented as taking a higher priority than the health of spectators and team staff.
The silence from Liberty Media was deafening.
If there is any kind of defence to be made for how this situation was handled, it's on the grounds of how rapidly the COVID-19 situation has deteriorated. Responses from governments and sporting bodies have had to be fluid and subject to flux. Even so, F1 looked more outwitted than most.
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