148 replies to this topic

[Astandahl]

 If you read the article there are no facts to back that up. So no, it's NOT more lethal than flu.

 

Perfectly ok to let the race go ahead without teams who choose not to. 

In Italy is much deadlier than the flu and the healthcare system is collapsing with people arriving every day incapable of breathing.

[Whatisvalis]

If Mclaren pulled out of Australia, they are definetly not going to Bahrain right?

It would make zero sense to send the team to another coronavirus region. Let alone looking after the people who had contact with the member who tested positive.

There’s no such thing as a corona free reason. The UK is about to explode too.

They should all go to Bahrain and self quarantine for two weeks then run a couple of closed door races.

[Fatgadget]

This sport.. it's unbelievable, how many times they can make silly decision who put people in danger. Cancelling the race is the only sensible decision, we can't race in these conditions. Kudos to Hamilton for saying the right things, it's a huge deception to see drivers shut their mouth.

Dramatic much! When any decisions ever made that endangered anyone ?
 

[mclarensmps]

As much as it sucks for fans (and viewers), this was the right thing to do. Wishing a quick recovery to everyone. Luckily, the younger folks fight this stuff off much easier. 

[loki0420]

Is that even true. Because I read somewhere some people which recovered from virus got infected again. It's a virus which affects mostly old people and people with weak immune system. Which again makes sense because people who recovered have one. 

I only read they can get infected and that was some doctors opinion. I didn't read it is the case. Because basically from medical POV if you already resisted specific virus it cant hit you again. There can the case of virus mutation of some sort and people confuse it with second infestation. Though I'm not actually a doctor. I just train my immune system hard.

[coppilcus]

I'm afraid that I'm going to take a contrary view and argue that McLaren have taken a knee jerk reaction here. The world is slowly grinding to a halt - flights are being cancelled, Trump has banned flights from certain countries from landing in the biggest market in the world. The stock markets are shedding value like no tomorrow, interest rates are at near zero levels. There needs to be some perspective or we will all suffer in the long run.

 

If this event is cancelled - because of a mere diagnosis, what happens to all the investment, flights, tickets, logistics etc. Who will refund the spend? It can't be written off, someone somewhere will have to pick up the tab.

 

This is irrational behaviour gone mad. We need to get some perspective and try and get back to some semblance of normal, or the aftershocks  will last for decades.

 

Rant over 

 

 

Indeed...

 

But you're dealing with mammals, and those creatures can be a little bit more reasonable as individuals, but quite imbecilic in groups, and groups are quite difficult to educate. It's unbelievable the amount of people, far, far into the XXI century, that still thinks there isn't a microscopic world living among us, and behaves like savages. The amount of people that sneeze and cough in the face of others or 'semi-cover' their mouths with their hands instead of a tissue or your elbow, is astronomical, let alone doing a pretty 'tough' thing: washing their freaking hands and not touching their face.

 

So the only measures that work are the ones that do not trust in the hygiene habits of people and avoid close social interactions, hopping that the spread reaches as little people as possible so the capacity of your health services are not surpassed.

 

Mammals cannot be trusted with their safety and health...

Edited by coppilcus, 12 March 2020 - 14:56.

[Boing 2]

As I said in the main COVID thread, Bernie was great a making deals behind the scenes and keeping the money rolling in, but when the **** hit the fan, all he'd do is deflect and spread blame. Anyone that watched the build up to Indy 2005 could see that. He was like a rabbit in the headlights and all he could do was blame the teams for not sorting it out between themselves.

 

This idea that he was this all powerful force that could snap his fingers and make magic happen is utter fantasy.

Up to the late 90's he was pretty potent but once the manufacturers took over the grid he lost a lot of leverage. It's pretty easy to bully a private F1 team when you and your buddy can block their access to the only thenig that keeps the lights on, not so easy with billion dollar corporations that can leave at the drop of a hat.

[waquzy]

Well done to McLaren and Zak Brown.

Cancel the race lads.

They should cancel the season!

[Marklar]

lol feel actually sorry for McLaren. They are now getting ****ed over

[TheFish]

The race is going ahead without them...

[Heyli]

lol feel actually sorry for McLaren. They are now getting ****ed over

They should just say "... it. We´ll just show up and start hugging people" instead, maybe that´ll get them to call it off. 

[Imateria]

Up to the late 90's he was pretty potent but once the manufacturers took over the grid he lost a lot of leverage. It's pretty easy to bully a private F1 team when you and your buddy can block their access to the only thenig that keeps the lights on, not so easy with billion dollar corporations that can leave at the drop of a hat.

I think it's worth remembering a more pertinant example, Bahrain from 10 years ago. Bernie thought it was perfectly fine to go to a country in the middle of an uprising, calling it only a few students with too much time on their hands, and when FI pulled out after having molotov cocktails thrown at team members they were punished by the TV director refusing to show their cars on screen throughout the following race weekend (which damages the teams value to sponsors).

 

If Bernie was still in charge I have no doubt that he'd be currently threatening McLaren to take part regardless or else.

[Miles749]

lol feel actually sorry for McLaren. They are now getting ****ed over

 

Let's wait and see. I doubt it will go ahead, there's plenty of time for any number of factors to stop the race. From government, FIA or even drivers themselves. If Vettel and Hamilton lead the charge, there will be no racing. 

[68targa]

I thought the FIA and Liberty mentioned a week or so ago something about " if all the teams cannot race then the race won't happen" 

[MJB5990]

Could they theoretically put themselves back in the race?

[TomNokoe]

Could they theoretically put themselves back in the race?

Also wondering about this

[Miles749]

Could they theoretically put themselves back in the race?

 

Why would they? They have the moral high ground and will be proved right. 

[jjcale]

Did they speak to anyone before they withdrew??

[pup]

Good for McLaren for doing the right thing.

 

Pretty shitty of Brawn when it's not about the FIA's precious Ferrari.  But then, who really would have expected differently.

[P123]

I thought the FIA and Liberty mentioned a week or so ago something about " if all the teams cannot race then the race won't happen"

That's when they were worried that Ferrari would not be there.

Now it's McLaren.. oh well, doesn't matter it seems...

There will still be plenty of twists and turns. A situation FOM should have perhaps seen coming.

[Nando1799]

That surely means that Mclaren wont be able to race in Bahrain? 

[Radoye]

I thought the FIA and Liberty mentioned a week or so ago something about " if all the teams cannot race then the race won't happen" 

Yeah, but that was just code speak for "if Ferrari cannot race".

[4444]

one of the most iconic British teams has been the first team to have a member tested positive.

 

That is assuming the other teams were being transparent.

[jensfan09]

That surely means that Mclaren wont be able to race in Bahrain? 

If McLaren miss 2 races, it will really hurt their chances of securing 4th in the championship!

[pup]

If McLaren miss 2 races, it will really hurt their chances of securing 4th in the championship!

Still the right decision.

[ARTGP]

If McLaren miss 2 races, it will really hurt their chances of securing 4th in the championship!

 

 

It depends how quick the car is really. 

[Miles749]

If McLaren miss 2 races, it will really hurt their chances of securing 4th in the championship!

 

Imagine if factory needs to be closed for months or if some of McLaren employees gets sick or dies. That would probably be much worse than finishing below 4th in the championship. 

[pup]

So is the race really still going on?  I see where the teams voted to continue, but they aren't the ones to decide.  Just means that they won't block it from happening themselves.  I haven't seen anything from the FIA, Liberty or the promoters.

[chhatra]

If McLaren miss 2 races, it will really hurt their chances of securing 4th in the championship!

I don’t think it will hurt them too bad.

They will have a clear picture of their rivals and how far ahead the top 3 are. Their goal is closing the gap to the top 3...if they can do that by the end of the season then mission accomplished regardless of whether they finish 4th or 6th.

Besides, with the top 6 positions fixed, the most they could lose is around 20 points. They finished well clear of 4th last season and that was with many retirements.

[cpbell]

Perhaps I should introduce those who don't know to the way things really work.   From Yes Prime Minister.  A conversation between senior civil servants discussing a possible civil war in a Commonwealth country.

 

You're in great form today, Sir!  As with your Fletcher quote in the other thread, I read this one in the actor's voices.

[mclarensmps]

Looks like it's PPD

[TheMidnight]

GP pulled:

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/51849163

[cpbell]

GP pulled:

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/51849163

Correct decision if the reports are accurate.

[MikeV1987]

Damn that sucks, I took holidays from work to watch the GP on tv. Can't imagine how shitty it must be to book flights, hotels, etc and have this happen. In hindsight they should have postponed it much sooner.

[coppilcus]

Still the right decision.

 

If it is indeed the right decision, why present yourself at the first event?

 

Their mechanics were not infected in the plane to Melbourne, presented symptoms after 12 hours and got tested after 24... 

[oli4]

That's when they were worried that Ferrari would not be there.

Now it's McLaren.. oh well, doesn't matter it seems...

There will still be plenty of twists and turns. A situation FOM should have perhaps seen coming.

 

Unbelievable that in a McLaren/Corona thread you guys seem to find a way to put Ferrari in a bad spotlight. This is beyond sick.

[mclarensmps]

Unbelievable that in a McLaren/Corona thread you guys seem to find a way to put Ferrari in a bad spotlight. This is beyond sick.

 

??????????

 

What are you talking about....

[Clrnc]

They should just say "... it. We´ll just show up and start hugging people" instead, maybe that´ll get them to call it off. 

They don't need to do that, mark my words in 2 weeks there will be tons of people from f1 being infected. When there's one confirmed case it multiplies really quickly after the window. It gives people a false sense of security that no one is ill now but in 2 weeks there will be

[Mat13]

It's going to be a long wait for the next race.

[MirNyet]

The fly away races being cancelled will have quite an effect on any team with an early doors advantage, as by Europe, the next wave of updates will appear, probably negating any out of the box performance advantages some teams may have felt they had.  This is likely to hit any team who had planned to not bring updates across the year, and may have been counting on large points hauls in those first few races.  

[Muz Bee]

The fly away races being cancelled will have quite an effect on any team with an early doors advantage, as by Europe, the next wave of updates will appear, probably negating any out of the box performance advantages some teams may have felt they had. This is likely to hit any team who had planned to not bring updates across the year, and may have been counting on large points hauls in those first few races.

The air travel aspect of exposure isn’t the only one for F1 to face. Europe with its “open borders” is paying the price with the escalation of virus reports. Italy may be only the tip of the iceberg.

[MirNyet]

The air travel aspect of exposure isn’t the only one for F1 to face. Europe with its “open borders” is paying the price with the escalation of virus reports. Italy may be only the tip of the iceberg.

 

Not all of the EU is completely open borders, but yes, this is a problem.

[Paco]

If it is indeed the right decision, why present yourself at the first event?

 

Their mechanics were not infected in the plane to Melbourne, presented symptoms after 12 hours and got tested after 24... 

 

All odd, they had to have had before had as it doesn't present itself that quickly.. so back at Base they may have a big issue as a lot of personnel probably have it as well then.. they didn't get in Ausutralia. 

[coppilcus]

The air travel aspect of exposure isn’t the only one for F1 to face. Europe with its “open borders” is paying the price with the escalation of virus reports. Italy may be only the tip of the iceberg.

There aren’t open borders with China, and the Schengen area it’s not precisely ‘do as you please, sir’...

The clusters would be formed regardless of the control tightness of your borders, this virus is probably here to stay and the first wave it’s going to last several months if not years, it’s impossible to isolate yourself for that long. It’s all about delaying the flow of people that needs a respirator so it cannot surpass the capacity of the health services.

As I see it, basic hygiene habits are a more tight barrier against any sickness, than eliminating the Schengen area for six months, and those habits are within a proper parameter within the average of the northern societies of Europe, while the average southerners are alive by accident...

Edited by coppilcus, 12 March 2020 - 22:41.

[Marklar]

 

Further to McLaren’s withdrawal from the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, we are now in a position to provide a further update.

 

McLaren fully supports the decision taken by Formula 1, the FIA and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to cancel the event.

 

Overnight, 14 members of the team, in addition to the one confirmed case, were placed in quarantine at the team hotel for 14 days, in accordance with local health authority directives. These are individuals who had been in close contact with the team member who tested positive for coronavirus. These individuals are being supported by senior team personnel, who will stay behind with them during the quarantine period.

 

Any other team members who show symptoms will be tested immediately and self-isolate, in line with our protocol.

 

Other members of the team have been cleared to return to the paddock to pack down team equipment before travelling back to the UK. On arrival in the UK, no race team member will return to the McLaren Technology Centre for a period of 14 days, as a precautionary measure.

[kumo7]

All odd, they had to have had before had as it doesn't present itself that quickly.. so back at Base they may have a big issue as a lot of personnel probably have it as well then.. they didn't get in Ausutralia. 

 

This is nothing more than your limited imagination.

[Sash1]

In Italy is much deadlier than the flu and the healthcare system is collapsing with people arriving every day incapable of breathing.

 

In Milan there are now street hospitals with tents, where patients are on simple stretchers with a respirator and a bag of meds/fluids.

[SophieB]

Can we keep this thread for discussing the McLaren decision to withdraw and how the McLaren team are doing, please.

[Muz Bee]

Further to McLaren’s withdrawal from the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, we are now in a position to provide a further update.

McLaren fully supports the decision taken by Formula 1, the FIA and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to cancel the event.

Overnight, 14 members of the team, in addition to the one confirmed case, were placed in quarantine at the team hotel for 14 days, in accordance with local health authority directives. These are individuals who had been in close contact with the team member who tested positive for coronavirus. These individuals are being supported by senior team personnel, who will stay behind with them during the quarantine period.

Any other team members who show symptoms will be tested immediately and self-isolate, in line with our protocol.

Other members of the team have been cleared to return to the paddock to pack down team equipment before travelling back to the UK. On arrival in the UK, no race team member will return to the McLaren Technology Centre for a period of 14 days, as a precautionary measure.

Thanks Marklar. The protection/rehabilitation of McLaren team members abroad and at MTC can now be assured by this decisive action. I must confess I’ve gone from somewhat gung-ho about the virus to wanting them to take all reasonable steps to restrict its spread - now I’ve lost the appointment with the event I’ve waited three months for! Kind of ferrets out one’s self interest in these things doesn’t it?

If all the travelling circus are subjected to this sort of action by their team principals AND a spectator blackout is imposed there’s no serious reason the show couldn’t get started in May.

Edited by Muz Bee, 13 March 2020 - 10:00.