Christian Horner has defended the handling of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, saying ti was a “moving target” that F1 bosses had to respond to.
Despite many sporting series around the world shutting up shop, Formula 1’s 2,000-strong paddock ventured down to Melbourne earlier this month for the start of the season.
Almost immediately news broke that a McLaren team personnel was self-isolating having shown signs of the coronavirus.
Two days later McLaren announced he was positive and withdrew from the grand prix.
Some 10 hours after that, as the fans and journalists alike waited for news on whether the grand prix would go ahead, Formula 1 finally announced that it would not race in Australia.
That announcement was made two hours before FP1.
“I think it’s a very difficult one, because it was such a moving target,” Horner told Motorsport.com.
“When we came there was nobody that had tested positive.
“We’ve had one positive case, and obviously the decision has been made not to race.
“It’s difficult to criticise.
“It’s something that is such a moving target.”
Red Bull was one team that wanted to push ahead with the grand prix, saying they were open to take to the track for practice and re-evaluating the situation at the end of the day.
The majority of the teams, though, voted against continuing.
“I think the problem is, it’s a moving target,” he added.
“If the guy that tested positive before, then we wouldn’t come and then obviously we’d have all been saved a trip.
“It’s a shame, but at the end of the day, you have to put the health and well-being of the fans, the spectators, the team members, and the public first.”
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