Formula 1’s two Italian teams expect to participate in next week’s Australian Grand Prix as planned, despite the Italian government imposing a quarantine on millions of people due to the Coronavirus.

Ferrari said its staff are already on their way to Melbourne for next week’s season-opening race.

“Following measures announced by the Italian government last night, we are monitoring and evaluating the situation and are in close contact with the relevant authorities and all orgnisations involved,” saod the team in a statement on Sunday.

The authorities in Italy have imposed a quarantine which will affect an estimated 16 million people. The region covered extends as far as Modena, where Ferrari are based.

“For Ferrari, compliance with the government regulations represents the primary guarantee for ensuring the safety of its employees and their families which is our priority. Every single decision will be made with respect to this principle.

“Part of the team and equipment have already arrived in Melbourne and the departures for the remaining members of the team are going ahead as programmed unless we receive communications to the contrary.”

AlphaTauri confirmed to RaceFans its base in Ravenna is not affected by the new restrictions. Its staff are already on their way to Australia and the team expects to be able to participate.

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2020 F1 season