😕How the Australian GP descended into farce on Friday

[Forward to a friend]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [RSS]( Friday morning in Melbourne was one of the least edifying times in recent Formula 1 memory. A catalogue of vested commercial interests entwined, leading to a situation where fans were queuing at the gates of a racetrack that was never going to open. At a time when ‘social distancing’ should be encouraged, this appeared borderline reckless. A paucity of information and leadership combined for a bizarre stalemate that lasted for hours where we knew the race was cancelled, but an official announcement hadn’t been made. We knew two drivers had already flown home, we knew teams were only coming in to pack-up their equipment, yet marshals went to their posts and hundreds of poor fans were made to queue outside. Then it was confirmed it would be run behind closed doors. Then, finally, it was confirmed it wouldn’t be happening at all. The timing of the coronavirus diagnosis of a McLaren member of staff on Thursday should have been the catalyst for a reasonably swift decision to cancel the F1 event after consultation between the teams – especially after McLaren withdrew. Again, when it was clear that only three teams were willing to run after Thursday night’s meeting, some firm action needed taking – and then quickly publicised. Like at Indianapolis in 2005, everyone in the decision-making chain knew the metaphorical iceberg was inevitable; instead they chose to rearrange the Titanic’s deckchairs for a while... Charles Bradley, Global Editor in Chief [motorsport.com]( E D I T O R ' S C H O I C E [Only three F1 teams were willing to run in Melbourne]( Just three Formula 1 teams were willing to continue to run in Melbourne had Australian Grand Prix not been cancelled by the authorities this morning – opening up the bizarre prospect of a repeat of the 2005 US GP, when just six cars took part. Story by Adam Cooper. A L E X K A L I N A U C K A S [The big questions F1 faces after the cancellation chaos]( The cancelled 2020 Australian Grand Prix will surely go down as one of F1's most farcical episodes. With the dust yet to settle, big questions now arise over the Australia weekend and what F1 does next. P A B L O E L I Z A L D E [Bahrain, Vietnam GPs called off over coronavirus outbreak]( The Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix have been postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Formula 1 announced on Friday. J O N A T H A N N O B L E [2020 Formula 1 season could now start in June]( Formula 1 could be looking at starting the 2020 season at Baku in June, Motorsport.com has learned, amid growing indications that coronavirus will disrupt events for months. A D A M C O O P E R [How F1 can slot lost races back into the calendar]( The prospect of the 2020 Formula 1 world championship starting in Baku in June emerged in Melbourne as the paddock took in the full consequences of the cancellation of the Australian GP. Download the new Motorsport app today! Get all the lates news, photos, live coverage, insights and stats from your favorite racing series: Formula 1, MotoGP, WRC, Formula E, WEC, Indycar NASCAR and many more. Available on L U K E S M I T H [Carey says F1 "made the right decisions" over Australian GP]( Chase Carey has defended Formula 1's decision-making prior to the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix as a result of a coronavirus diagnosis in the paddock. L U K E S M I T H [Fourteen McLaren team members quarantined in Melbourne]( McLaren has confirmed 14 further team members have been placed in a two-week quarantine after coming into close contact with the individual who tested positive for coronavirus this week. J A M I E K L E I N [Lynk & Co announces four-car 2020 WTCR assault]( Lynk & Co Cyan Racing has announced it will once again enter four cars in the FIA World Touring Car Cup this year. Received this email from a friend? Sign up to receive the INSIDER Newsletter from Motorsport.com which includes the latest news and inside views, direct from the experts. [Subscribe]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [RSS]( Copyright © 2020 Motorsport.com, Inc., All rights reserved. Top news of the week. Our mailing address is: Motorsport.com, Inc. 5972 NE 4th AvenueMiami, FL 33137 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. Copyright © MOTORSPORT NETWORK. All rights reserved.