Coronavirus: F1 races will not be cancelled due to a positive test

London, June 3: Chase Carey has revealed Formula One races will not be cancelled if a driver or team member tests positive for coronavirus.

F1 on Tuesday (June 2) confirmed the first eight races in a revised calendar for the 2020 season, starting with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5.

Spielberg and Silverstone will host two rounds apiece, with all races set to be staged behind closed doors.

The season was due to get under way with the Australian Grand Prix in March, but the event was cancelled when a member of the McLaren garage tested positive for COVID-19.

F1 announces first eight races of revised 2020 calendar

F1 chief executive Carey stated the rescheduled events will go ahead even if there are further positive tests.

As we return to racing, safety is paramount #F1 pic.twitter.com/zmA3L652JY

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 2, 2020

"An individual having been found with a positive infection will not lead to a cancellation of a race," he told the official F1 website.

"We encourage teams to have procedures in place so if an individual has to be put in quarantine, we have the ability to quarantine them at a hotel and to replace that individual.

"Some things we'd have to talk through and work through. The array of 'what ifs' are too wide to play out every one of them, but a team not being able to race wouldn't cancel the race.

"I don't think I could sit here and lay out the consequences. But we will have a procedure in place that finding infection will not lead to a cancellation. If a driver has an infection, [teams have] reserve drivers available.

"We wouldn't be going forward if we were not highly confident we have necessary procedures and expertise and capabilities to provide a safe environment and manage whatever issues arrive."