COVID-19 could affect more races this year.

[LM10]

Precautionary actions which at first sight may seem overreactive are needed to slow down the spread while we still have the flu epidemic going on. Tackling both will lead health systems to collapse and that's what needs to be hindered, at least until flu numbers decrease to non-epidemic values.

[Wass85]

What are the odds of something like this actually happening in the upcoming races: "Breaking News- Ferrari pull out of the Australian GP."

[3jawchuck]

Breaking News- Ferrari pull out of the Australian GP.
What are the odds of something like this actually happening in the upcoming races?

Equipment and staff are already there or on their way there. Money has been spent, and short of their withdrawal being required by law, they will be racing.

[thetruth]

Italy is officially fully locked.
Italian premier, Giuseppe Conte, is signing the law in these minutes.

[LM10]

Yes, just heard as well. That's big news. What will happen with the italy based teams now?

[kimetic]

Yes, just heard as well. That's big news. What will happen with the italy based teams now?

I suppose the race teams will have to set up somewhere outside Italy for the duration. The factories will still be able to ship parts out to them, so the design departments will just have to do without the top brass for a while, in the flesh. They might quite like that...

[MtthsMlw]

Yes, just heard as well. That's big news. What will happen with the italy based teams now?

They'll go to Bahrain directly (which they would do anyways) and hope the lock down doesn't last for too long after that

[thetruth]

Apparently for work reasons travels are allowed, even with this strict law. Prohibitions are for unnecesessary travels through the country.

[Zynerji]

Italy now on total lockdown.

[LM10]

Yes, just heard as well. That's big news. What will happen with the italy based teams now?

I suppose the race teams will have to set up somewhere outside Italy for the duration. The factories will still be able to ship parts out to them, so the design departments will just have to do without the top brass for a while, in the flesh. They might quite like that...

I think this would be way too difficult logistically.

They'll go to Bahrain directly (which they would do anyways) and hope the lock down doesn't last for too long after that

Hope too.

[Just_a_fan]

Even if new parts are required from the factory, they can be wiped clean etc., just like any other surface. At least there's no aerosol risk from them.

[kimetic]

Yes, just heard as well. That's big news. What will happen with the italy based teams now?

I suppose the race teams will have to set up somewhere outside Italy for the duration. The factories will still be able to ship parts out to them, so the design departments will just have to do without the top brass for a while, in the flesh. They might quite like that...

I think this would be way too difficult logistically.

They'll go to Bahrain directly (which they would do anyways) and hope the lock down doesn't last for too long after that

Hope too.

After Bahrain, they have to move to somewhere and it's not likely that Italy will be open by then, so although it will be difficult they'll simply have to I think. It might be months. They'll need a safe haven to stay. If they went back to Italy they might not be allowed out again, especially if a team member caught the infection.

[cooken]

Do we honestly think Ferrari won't be given special permissions to come and go?

[Jolle]

Yes, just heard as well. That's big news. What will happen with the italy based teams now?

I suppose the race teams will have to set up somewhere outside Italy for the duration. The factories will still be able to ship parts out to them, so the design departments will just have to do without the top brass for a while, in the flesh. They might quite like that...

I think this would be way too difficult logistically.

They'll go to Bahrain directly (which they would do anyways) and hope the lock down doesn't last for too long after that

Hope too.

The max amount of mechanics is set in the rules, finding a good hotel for 60 engineers isn't that big of a deal....

[strad]

Do we honestly think Ferrari won't be given special permissions to come and go?

That's very cynical of you cooken. Gave me a good laugh though.