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VIETNAM'S TOO

Bahrain Formula One race postponed

MANAMA, March 13, 2020

The 2020 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, shceduled to be held later this month, has been postponed, statements from the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and Formula One said.
 
BIC said that today (March 13), Formula 1 and the FIA, in consultation with BIC and Bahrain Motor Federation, announced the postponement of the Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for March 20- 22, a Bahrain News Agency report said.
 
“We have been in continuous discussions with F1 and the FIA in recent weeks, as the situation with regards to COVID-19 has evolved globally,” Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, BIC Chief Executive, said.
 
“The mutually agreed decision to postpone the race is the right thing to do, given recent developments and the overwhelming priority to protect the health of all concerned. We will be working closely with our partners at F1 and the FIA on monitoring the global situation and hope to be able to welcome the return of F1 later this year, once it is right to do so. Our thoughts go out to all those who have been affected by the COVID-19 virus.”
 
Formula 1 and the FIA also announced the postponement of the Vietnam Grand Prix,  acheduled for April 3-5 at the recently completed Hanoi Circuit.
 
The news follows the cancellation of this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, and the previous postponement of the Chinese Grand Prix, which was due to be held from April 17-19.
 
Formula 1 and the FIA said they will continue to work closely with the race promoters in Bahrain and Vietnam to monitor the situation and study the viability of potential alternative dates for both races.
 
They also stated that they expect the 2020 championship to begin in Europe at the end of May – but this will be regularly reviewed.
 
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.”
 
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.” - TradeArabia News Service



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