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McLaren F1 Puts Strict Restrictions to Protect Staff From Coronavirus Threat

Published 02/21/2020, 2:42 AM EST

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McLaren F1 isn’t taking any chances regarding the recent Coronavirus threat. The team has issued guidelines prohibiting anyone who visited China in the last 14 days from entering its premises. Team motorhome and factory have implemented the above-stated restriction.

The statement said that the team will enforce strict measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the team. These measures came after the WHO and the British government put precautionary warnings against visits to China.

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Risk of Coronavirus outbreak has risen to a severe level and FIA and F1 teams are taking every possible measure to curb the risk. As a result, the Chinese GP scheduled for the 19th of April stands canceled.

And with coronavirus spreading its wings outside mainland China into many nearby Asian countries, the maiden Vietnam Grand Prix scheduled for April 4 is also under threat of cancelation. And is being closely monitored by F1 and the FIA.

McLaren F1 boss Zak Brown talked about any possible threat to the Vietnam GP. He said that his team will evaluate the situation before deciding on sending his people to Hanoi.

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“It is very nearby (to China) so we are going to monitor the situation,” said Brown. “We would never do anything that puts our people at risk, and I don’t believe Formula 1 would as well.”

Teams still have some concerns regarding a new slot for the Chinese Grand Prix later in the year. They will require some solid safety assurances before heading to China.

Haas F1 team boss Guenther Steiner said on the issue that they will need reassurances before heading back to China. As the sport can’t afford to take any risks

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He said on a possible rescheduling of the Chinese GP, “We can put a triple-header on, but I don’t know when this virus is over.”

“I have no idea. But if there is any risk then for sure I’m against it because we shouldn’t race if there is a risk.”

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Written by:

Mrinal Kuniyal

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Mrinal Kuniyal has been a contributor to EssentiallSports since early 2020 and has focused on Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar. He's a management graduate and his areas of interest include motorsports, marketing, and music.
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