McLaren withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix

Jamie Woodhouse
McLaren withdraw from Australian Grand Prix.

McLaren withdraw from Australian Grand Prix.

McLaren have officially withdrawn from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after a team member tested positive for the coronavirus.

It had been announced on Wednesday that three Haas team members along with one McLaren employee were in self-isolation while awaiting test results.

A fourth Haas member was then placed into self-isolation on Thursday with the test results due back today.

Those results have come back positive for the McLaren worker and the team have subsequently withdrawn from the season-opener in Melbourne.

Their official statement read: “McLaren Racing has confirmed in Melbourne this evening that is has withdrawn from the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, following the positive test of a team member for the coronavirus.

“The team member was tested and self-isolated as soon as they started to show symptoms and will now be treated by local healthcare authorities.

“The team has prepared for this eventuality and has ongoing support in place for its employee who will now enter a period of quarantine. The team is cooperating with the relevant local authorities to assist their investigations and analysis.

“Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, and Andreas Seidl, Team Principal of McLaren F1, informed Formula 1 and the FIA of the decision this evening.

“The decision has been taken based on a duty of care not only to McLaren F1 employees and partners, but also to the team’s competitors, Formula 1 fans and wider F1 stakeholders.”

Racefans.net are reporting that all four Haas team members have been cleared after tests.

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