MELBOURNE: Two members of the Haas Formula One team and one from McLaren were quarantined in Melbourne yesterday as a precaution amid coronavirus fears ahead of Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
“Two members showed some cold-like symptoms this morning. With the guidelines we’ve followed, they have been tested (for coronavirus),” a Haas spokesman told Reuters at Albert Park.
“As a result of being tested they have to go back into the hotel for isolation while we await the results.”
McLaren said one team member had self-isolated in the team hotel as a precaution for showing “coronavirus-like symptoms”.
“We expect to receive the results overnight. The team is operating as per our normal schedule,” a spokeswoman said.
A spokeswoman for Ferrari said none of its team members had been quarantined or tested.
“All are present and accounted for,” she said.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott had said on Monday tht Albert Park was ready to welcome thousands of motor sport fans and there was “no chance” of a spectator ban.