Pirelli: Australian GP cancellation a disappointing decision, but the right one

Pirelli says it “understands and fully agrees” with the decision to cancel this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. The event was stopped after confirmation came that a member of the McLaren Racing Team has tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the team’s withdrawal. The FIA and Formula 1 convened a meeting of the other nine team principals on Thursday evening, which concluded with the majority favouring stopping proceedings.

In a statement issued today, Mario Isola, Pirelli’s head of F1 and Car Racing, says the tyre supplier is “obviously very disappointed for all the Formula 1 fans who came to Melbourne to see the first race of the season,” however it supports the decision. “As a partner of the championship, Pirelli understands and fully agrees with this decision, taken following the recent health issues that have affected the world.”