The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and the Vietnam Grand Prix have been postponed.
The kingdom's event, which was due to be held next weekend, had been relegated as a 'participants-only' fixture last week.
The cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix last night due to a member of the McLaren team being quarantined because of the Covid-19 pandemic put others races in doubt.
Commenting on the postponement, Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain International Circuit, 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. 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. “Finally, our thoughts go out to all those who have been affected by the COVID-19 virus.”
Formula One said on Twitter this afternnon.
'Due to the continued global spread of COVID-19 and after ongoing discussions with the FIA, and race organisers a decision has been taken by all parties to postpone the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Vietnam Grand Prix due to take place on March 20-22 and April 3-5 respectively'.
