Ferrari's Formula One team received a special exemption from the Italian government to travel to Melbourne from the coronavirus-struck Lombardy region.

Dozens of the team's crew have already arrived for this week's grand prix, with the team's top brass – including its principal and head engineers – departing from Milan on Monday morning.

About 150 Ferrari crew members received a special exemption from the Italian government to travel to Melbourne for the grand prix. Credit:Joe Armao

About 150 Ferrari crew members will be at Albert Park, a reduced figure for a race meet with some non-essential staff remaining in Europe.

Ferrari's base – where most employees have been for the past week – is in Maranello, near the city of Modena, in northern Italy.