McLaren implement ban due to coronavirus fears
McLaren could mortgage factory and classic F1 cars to raise funds.
McLaren has banned anyone who recently visited China from entering the team’s hospitality area at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Speaking at the launch of McLaren’s MCL35, team CEO Zak Brown made it clear that McLaren would not “risk” its team personnel given the coronavirus outbreak.
As such the team took steps to protect staff at the Circuit de Catalunya where pre-season testing is underway.
The Woking team, and in fact the McLaren Group as a whole, has banned access to anyone who has visited China in the past 14 days.
A McLaren spokesman told Reuters: “The McLaren Group has issued a policy setting out restrictions and conditions we believe prudent to safeguard the health and well-being of our people, contractors and customers and protect our operations.
“Among these measures is a precaution that anyone who has travelled from China in the last 14 days is not permitted to enter a McLaren Group operated building or facility for up to 14 days.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely and will revise our policy as circumstances change, while working with Formula One and the FIA.”
McLaren is reportedly the only team to have taken this step.
Formula 1 has already called off this year’s Chinese Grand Prix, using the word postponed, due to the outbreak.
Bosses are hoping to reschedule a two-day weekend later in the year.
Vietnam, though, insists its race will not be postponed or cancelled despite the country sharing a boarder with China.
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