Bahrain Grand Prix To Be Held Behind Closed Doors

This month’s Bahrain Grand Prix will be held as a ‘participants-only event’ due to the on-going Coronavirus outbreak.

This decision to hold the race weekend across 20-22 March behind closed doors came after consultations between the circuit and their ‘international partners; plus ‘the Kingdom’s national health Taskforce…’ as ‘safety has to remain our utmost priority.’

In a statement, Bahrain International Circuit spoke of the importance of ‘balancing the welfare of supporters and race goers is a tremendous responsibility…’ due to the on-going global spread of Coronavirus which meant that it ‘would not be the right thing to do at the present time.’ 

The race weekend however will go ahead as a televised event to reduce any ‘unduly’ impact on fans or the sport itself, as Formula Two and Three both begin their new seasons that weekend as support races to Formula One. 

Bahrain however has taken successful rapid proactive measures to minimise the risk of the Coronavirus spreading, especially with a ‘overwhelming majority of cases relate to those travelling into the country by air…’ which is how F1 staff and drivers will be arriving into Bahrain after the Australian GP the preceding Sunday.

Circuit organisers therefore felt that those measures ‘would clearly be near impossible to maintain were the race to have proceeded as originally planned.’

This decision ultimately comes just days after circuit organisers decided to suspend all ticket sales, although there are no details yet on how to apply for refund if already brought tickets.