Motor racing fans could not have been told any sooner about the scrapping of Melbourne’s Formula One GP, says Australian Grand Prix chairman Paul Little.
On a morning of chaos and confusion like no other, mixed messaging about the F1 season-opener ran rampant and caused angst among die-hard fans.
Little was adamant at 8am on Friday the grand prix would go ahead despite a member of McLaren’s team testing positive for coronavirus on Thursday night.
About two hours after Little’s declaration to Nine News, the race was off.
Little claims there was nothing organisers could have done to tell thousands of fans waiting outside the Albert Park gates about the cancellation sooner.
“We’re very conscious of our responsibility to the fans, we knew they were trying to get through the gate,” Little said.
“We were still taking advice from the medical officers – and that was up until around nine-o’clock-ish.
“We had discussions through until about 2.30(am) this morning.
“The final conclusion was reached when the press release went out and fans at the gate were told accordingly.
“I don’t think it would have been possible to do it anymore quickly.”
Despite Little’s earlier insistence, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced from Sydney at around 9am the event would run without fans, if it proceeded at all.
An hour later, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation confirmed the entire event would be cancelled immediately after receiving updated advice from health experts.
“At 9am today the Australian Grand Prix Corporation was advised by Formula 1 of their intention to cancel all Formula 1 activity at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix,” the emailed statement at 10.08 am read.
Despite that statement reaching media, confused fans continued to wait outside for up to 30 minutes before the bad news was given to them.
At one gate, a chorus of boos was directed towards an attendant who had to announce the cancellation via megaphone.
“Thanks for your understanding,” he said.