The Ferrari Formula 1 team says preparations for the Australian GP are continuing as planned, despite the lockdown announced by the Italian government on Saturday.
Travel restrictions in a number of provinces – including Modena – confirmed overnight raised fears that at least some Ferrari employees who had not yet left could not travel to Melbourne, which could jeopardize the ability of the teams to participate in the first race of the season.
Ferrari says it respects the government’s decision, but says it will not affect the travel plans of team members going to Australia.
A statement to Autosport said: “Following the measures announced last night by the Italian government, we are monitoring and evaluating the situation and are in close contact with the competent authorities and all the organizations involved.
“For Ferrari, compliance with government regulations is the main guarantee for ensuring the safety of its employees and their families, which is our priority. Each decision will be taken in accordance with this principle.
“Some of the team and equipment have already arrived in Melbourne and the departures for the other team members are going as planned, unless we receive communications to the contrary.”
Concerns have been expressed over AlphaTauri’s participation in Australia due to the partial lockout in Italy, although currently Rovenna – where the team’s Faenza base is located – is not one of the “ red zones ” designated.
Earlier Sunday, organizers of the Bahrain Grand Prix announced that they would be holding the second round of the 2020 F1 season behind closed doors as a precaution to keep the COVID-19 epidemic at bay in the country.
In the past fortnight, the first two MotoGP races of 2020 have had to be abandoned, while the next Formula E race in Rome has been postponed.
The Ferrari Formula 1 team says preparations for the Australian GP are continuing as planned, despite the lockdown announced by the Italian government on Saturday.
Travel restrictions in a number of provinces – including Modena – confirmed overnight raised fears that at least some Ferrari employees who had not yet left could not travel to Melbourne, which could jeopardize the ability of the teams to participate in the first race of the season.
Ferrari says it respects the government’s decision, but says it will not affect the travel plans of team members going to Australia.
A statement to Autosport said: “Following the measures announced last night by the Italian government, we are monitoring and evaluating the situation and are in close contact with the competent authorities and all the organizations involved.
“For Ferrari, compliance with government regulations is the main guarantee for ensuring the safety of its employees and their families, which is our priority. Each decision will be taken in accordance with this principle.
“Some of the team and equipment have already arrived in Melbourne and the departures for the other team members are going as planned, unless we receive communications to the contrary.”
Concerns have been expressed over AlphaTauri’s participation in Australia due to the partial lockout in Italy, although currently Rovenna – where the team’s Faenza base is located – is not one of the “ red zones ” designated.
Earlier Sunday, organizers of the Bahrain Grand Prix announced that they would be holding the second round of the 2020 F1 season behind closed doors as a precaution to keep the COVID-19 epidemic at bay in the country.
In the past fortnight, the first two MotoGP races of 2020 have had to be abandoned, while the next Formula E race in Rome has been postponed.