McLaren has revealed 14 members of its Formula 1 team have been placed in isolation at its Melbourne hotel, in addition to the employee who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Thursday.
These were individuals who had interacted closely with the confirmed case, with the rest of the team able to return to the paddock to pack up the team’s equipment.
McLaren has confirmed any other team member who shows any possible symptoms will be tested and isolated, with the further precaution that no member of the travelling race team can return to its MTC headquarters for the next two weeks.
It was McLaren’s discovery that a member of its team had contracted coronavirus that ultimately led to the Australian Grand Prix being called off.
“McLaren fully supports the decision taken by Formula 1, the FIA and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to cancel the event,” said a team statement.
“Overnight, 14 members of the team, in addition to the one confirmed case, were placed in quarantine at the team hotel for 14 days, in accordance with local health authority directives.
“These are individuals who had been in close contact with the team member who tested positive for coronavirus.
“These individuals are being supported by senior team personnel, who will stay behind with them during the quarantine period.
“Any other team members who show symptoms will be tested immediately and self-isolate, in line with our protocol.
“Other members of the team have been cleared to return to the paddock to pack down team equipment before travelling back to the UK.
“On arrival in the UK, no race team member will return to the McLaren Technology Centre for a period of 14 days, as a precautionary measure.”
It is understood that the other nine teams were also cleared to the return to the paddock in order to pack up.
