S BLOXHAM

Making the right call

a little too late

in Australia?

Few would claim that cancelling last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix was the wrong decision. With the coronavirus situation changing by the day and a case being confirmed in the Formula 1 paddock, resulting in McLaren’s withdrawal, the decision seemed inevitable.

But what about the timing? As Alex Kalinauckas shows in our extensive analysis of what went on in Melbourne (page 16), some teams initially wanted to carry on with the race weekend and, even when enough of them decided to pull out, there was still a delay in communicating the fact that the GP wasn’t happening. That’s why some fans still travelled to the circuit and were, understandably, not impressed when they couldn’t get in.

Not for the first time, F1’s key players appeared to do the right thing, but – perhaps due to all the stakeholders and money involved – arguably didn’t do it soon enough.

F1 and the FIA now have some serious decisions to make and, with the Dutch, Spanish and Monaco GPs under threat, the earliest the season could get going is the Azerbaijan GP in June. In the grand scheme of things, of course, motorsport is hardly a priority at a time such as this and the safety of everyone is paramount, but the future of many livelihoods will depend on what happens in the coming months.

● We appreciate that many will feel the need for some escapism over the next few weeks. We have, of course, written a lot about COVID-19 and its impact in this issue, given the unprecedented situation, but we will continue to talk to teams, drivers and other key figures to bring you interviews and articles on your favourite sport. Also look out for historical pieces, as well as reports on any events that do take place.

Kevin Turner Editor kevin.turner@autosport.com

NEXT WEEK 26 MARCH We look at some of the big stories in the British Touring Car

paddock

COVER IMAGE S Bloxham/Motorsport Images

PIT & PADDOCK 4 Le Mans under threat from COVID-19 6 Pro GT race added to Motorsport Games 8 Neuville slams future rally rules 11 Opinion: Alex Kalinauckas 13 Opinion: Nick Garton 15 Feedback: your letters

INSIGHT 16 How the Australian GP was cancelled 26 US motorsport’s coronavirus response

RACE CENTRE 30 Ogier’s reluctant Mexico success 36 World of Sport: the international races that have been cancelled or postponed

PREVIEWS 38 Ticktum’s Formula 2 chance 44 F3: Vesti vs Piastri at Prema

CLUB AUTOSPORT 58 UK motorsport cancelled until May 60 Top Caterham series gets national status 62 Restored Lotus 20/22 returns to the track 65 Opinion: Stephen Lickorish

FINISHING STRAIGHT 66 What’s on this week 69 Have-a-go hero: Nick Heidfeld 70 From the archive: 1983 German GP 72 From the archive: 1958 Le Mans 74 Autosport 70: Senna in wet FF1600

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER 64 Special deals for Autosport

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Ginetta, the BRSCC and Mini Challenge all feature in this month’s issue.

19 MARCH 2020 AUTOSPORT.COM 3