Get unlimited access to award-winning sports journalism from The Telegraph – Sports Newspaper of the Year – for just £40 per annum Formula One has confirmed the cancellation of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix due to the coronavirus pandemic, but not before 12 hours of chaotic indecision led thousands of race fans to mass at the Albert Park gates in the expectation of the race going ahead. After a McLaren mechanic tested positive for coronavirus, the dominos quickly fell, with teams and drivers leaving no doubt over their opposition to proceeding with the event. “The FIA and Formula One, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC), have taken the decision that all F1 activity for the grand prix is cancelled,” a joint statement read. “All parties concluded that the safety of all members of the F1 family and the wider community, as well as the fairness of the competition should take priority.” A three-hour meeting between team principals and F1 technical chief Ross Brawn had resolved that the grand prix would have to be abandoned, but in farcical scenes, Melbourne hosts insisted holding firm as the FIA vacillated.

In light of this decision and updated advice this morning from the Chief Health Officer of the Victorian Government’s Department of Human and Health Services, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation confirms the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix is cancelled immediately. — Australian Grand Prix #AusGP (@ausgrandprix) March 12, 2020

The governing body suggested that there were legal complications behind the delay. A unilateral decision to cancel, it indicated, would require fewer than 12 cars to be available. They were also anxious about shouldering the financial liability of cancellation, given the number of commercial agreements in place. As uncertainty swirled, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen took matters into their own hands, catching flights back to Europe. World champions Mercedes also helped force F1’s hand by confirming that neither of its drivers would be taking part. A spokesperson said: “We share the disappointment of the sport’s fans that this race cannot go ahead as planned. However, the health and wellbeing of our team members and of our team members and of the wider F1 community are our absolute priority. In light of the force majeure events we are experiencing, we no longer feel the safety of our employees can be guaranteed.”