McLaren have withdrawn from the Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix after a team member tested positive for the coronavirus, the British team has said.

The person in question was tested and self-isolated as soon as they started to show symptoms, according to McLaren, and will now be treated by local healthcare authorities in Melbourne.

Team chiefs informed the governing FIA of the decision to withdraw from Sunday’s race on Thursday, a day before practice is due to start at Albert Park.

Mercedes driver and reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton had earlier questioned why the race was going ahead when so many other sporting events around the world were being cancelled or closing doors to fans.