F1 cancels season-opening Australian GP amid virus concerns

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain rubs his nose during a press conference at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Thursday, March 12, 2020. Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has questioned the wisdom of staging the season-opening Formula One Grand Prix while other sports are canceling events because of the spreading coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Renault driver Esteban Ocon of France waves as he arrives wearing a mask to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)

CORRECTS DRIVER'S NAME - McLaren driver Carlos Sainz of Spain arrives at the track for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, right, declines an autograph for a fan as he arrives at the track for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain and Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia, right, talk during a press conference at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Thursday, March 12, 2020. Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has questioned the wisdom of staging the season-opening Formula One Grand Prix while other sports are canceling events because of the spreading coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain speaks during a press conference at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Thursday, March 12, 2020. Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has questioned the wisdom of staging the season-opening Formula One Grand Prix while other sports are canceling events because of the spreading coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

From left to right, Michael Masi of the FIA, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman Paul Little, Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott and executive chairman of the Formula One Group Chase Carey, speak to the media about the cancellation of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2020. The first F1 Grand Prix of the season was canceled two hours before the first official practice was set to start Friday after organizers relented to pressure to call it off amid the spreading coronavirus. (Michael Dodge/AAP Image via AP)

Workers pack up in pit lane after the cancellation of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Friday, March 13, 2020. The first F1 Grand Prix of the season was canceled two hours before the first official practice was set to start Friday after organizers relented to pressure to call it off amid the spreading coronavirus. (Michael Dodge/AAP Image via AP)

A woman takes away signs after the cancellation of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Friday, March 13, 2020. The first F1 Grand Prix of the season was canceled two hours before the first official practice was set to start Friday after organizers relented to pressure to call it off amid the spreading coronavirus. (Michael Dodge/AAP Image via AP)

Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia, center right, waves to fans as he arrives at the track for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)