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Sports News of Wednesday, 11 March 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Coronavirus: McLaren, Haas F1 team members in self-isolation

Starting grid at the Albert Park GP Circuit, Melbourne, Australia 2019|  AAP/James Ross/via REUTERS Starting grid at the Albert Park GP Circuit, Melbourne, Australia 2019| AAP/James Ross/via REUTERS

Formula one teams, McLaren and Haas have confirmed that members of their respective teams are in self-isolation after being tested for coronavirus at the Australian Grand Prix.

One McLaren member and two personnel from American outfit Haas F1 were tested and are also in self-isolation after reporting symptoms associated with the disease in the Albert Park paddock on Wednesday morning.

Independent added that they were tested at the circuit's medical centre before returning to the team's hotel in downtown Melbourne.

A spokesperson for McLaren said: "We can confirm that one team member has self-isolated in the hotel as a precaution, in line with our policy, after showing symptoms similar to coronavirus.

"We are awaiting test results and currently do not have a definitive timeframe for these. The team is operating as per our normal schedule."

Formula One bosses' decision to stage the opening race of the new season despite sporting events being postponed across the world has been heavily criticised.

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 4,000 lives since it was first discovered in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China in 2019.

Drivers are under instruction not to take selfies with fans, while a two-metre exclusion zone will be in place when they conduct their media duties here on Thursday.

Next week's race in Bahrain will take place behind closed doors owing to fears about the coronavirus. The Chinese Grand Prix, which had been due to take place on April 19, has been postponed.

The Independent