McLaren pulls out F1 opener after team member was diagnosed with COVID-19

Formula One race car

McLaren will not be taking part in this weekend's season-opening Australian GP after a team member contracted coronavirus.

The team member has been in self-isolation after testing positive for the disease after tests in Melbourne.

The team's statement reads:

"McLaren Racing has confirmed this evening in Melbourne that it has withdrawn from the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, following the positive test of a team member for the coronavirus."

"The team member was tested and self-isolated as soon as they started to show symptoms and will now be treated by local healthcare authorities.

"The team has prepared for this eventuality and has ongoing support in place for its employee who will now enter a period of quarantine. The team is cooperating with the relevant local authorities to assist their investigations and analysis."

As at the time of this post, there have been a total of 129,386 recorded cases of the coronavirus pandemic with nothing less than 4,749 confirmed deaths.