FIA Postpones Bahrain Grand Prix, Vietnam Grand Prix As Well

So, it's not only the season-opening Australian Grand Prix that has been cancelled but the Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix as well, with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Formula 1 Group, the organizer of the Formula 1 World Championship, citing "the COVID-19 situation globally" as the primary reason for the cancellation.

Both races were scheduled to run on March 20 to 22 and April 3 to 5, respectively. With the cancellation, the 2020 Formula 1 season is now expected to begin with the European leg of the season. But due to the "sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe in recent days, this will be regularly reviewed."

What a blow for the Vietnam Grand Prix as it was due to hold its first staging of a Formula 1 race.

The joint statement is as follows...

Following the announcement of the Australian Grand Prix’s cancellation this week and the ongoing and fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation globally, Formula 1, the FIA and the promoters have taken these decisions in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern.

Formula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with the race promoters in Bahrain and Vietnam and the local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve.

As a result, Formula 1 and the FIA expect to begin the Championship in Europe at the end of May but given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe in recent days, this will be regularly reviewed.

FIA President, Jean Todt, said:
“Protecting people first. Together with Formula 1, the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Vietnamese Motorsports Association, and the local promoters, postponing both the Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix, as with the Australian Grand Prix, was the only possible decision given all of the information currently available to us. We continue to rely on the input and advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and governments and will work with them throughout this unpredictable period to safeguard the fans, competitors and all of the motor sport community.”

Formula 1 Chairman and CEO, Chase Carey, said:
“The global situation regarding COVID-19 is fluid and very difficult to predict and its right we take time to assess the situation and make the right decisions. We are taking this decision with the FIA and our promoters to ensure the safety of everyone involved in Formula 1 and our fans. The Bahrain Grand Prix is an exciting race in our schedule, and we look forward to being back there as soon as we can. We are also looking forward to Vietnam’s inaugural race and bringing the spectacle of F1 to one of the most exciting cities in the world.”