Bahrain GP to be contested behind closed doors

Published on 08 March 2020 by Stefan Meens

The Bahrain Grand Prix will be held on Sunday 22 March, but without spectators. The decision follows concerns about the global spread of the Corona virus.

“As an F1 host nation, balancing the welfare of supporters and race goers is a tremendous responsibility,” read the Bahrain GP’s organiser’s statement.

“Given the continued spread of Covid-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travellers and local fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do at the present time.”

“But to ensure that neither the sport, nor its global supporter base, is unduly impacted, the race weekend itself will still go ahead as a televised event.”

The first Grand Prix of the season, taking place in Melbourne Australia, is set to go ahead on 15 March, including spectators.