Hamilton says cancelling F1's Australian GP "the right call"

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says the decision to cancel the season-opening Australian Grand Prix was “the right call” amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Melbourne race was abandoned after a member of the McLaren team tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the Woking squad withdrawing from the event.

Hamilton's Mercedes team confirmed it sent a letter to F1 and the FIA to request the cancellation race following the outbreak of coronavirus in the paddock.

Hamilton, who had already admitted that he was “surprised” and “shocked” that the Australian Grand Prix was initially going ahead as planned in the build up to the weekend, praised the decision to call off the race on social media.

“Sadly, this is the right decision,” Hamilton said in a post on Twitter.

“No one wants this, we all want to get in our cars and get racing, but we have to be realistic and we must put health and safety first.

“The reality is, this is really serious with people dying every day, lots of people ill and even if they are not ill, many people being affected financially and emotionally.

“No one really knows the extent of what we are dealing with, but we should all take precautions to keep as many people as safe as possible.

“I know it’s disappointing, as sport unites us when times are tough, but it’s the right call.

“Listen to the advice everyone, keep safe. Hope to be back racing soon but in the meantime look after yourselves.”

There are now serious doubts over whether upcoming races in Bahrain and Vietnam on March 22 and April 5 will take place, with F1 bosses currently evaluating the possibility of suspending competition until June.

How the other drivers reacted on social media:

All I want to do is race. But safety and health comes first. Hope to be racing soon again! Stay safe everyone #VB77 #F1 #AusGP #Covid_19 @MercedesAMGF1 @ausgrandprix @F1 @SebastianKawka pic.twitter.com/q4JdPJdoUx

— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) March 13, 2020

pic.twitter.com/sHW1ktn3M0

— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) March 12, 2020

Really sad news at the #AusGP. Cancelling the first GP of the season is a hard decision but it had to be made. Now I just hope the best for everyone in the affected regions. Lets hope this pandemic outbreak is under control asap. Please people be conscious and stay safe! pic.twitter.com/FDROYckGe8

— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) March 13, 2020

We'll have to wait a bit longer to get back in the car. I was really looking forward to get back behind the wheel but this is the best decision, the health of everyone is the priority. Stay safe everyone pic.twitter.com/vKvo5lCtxG

— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) March 12, 2020

We were all looking forward to the start of the 2020 season. Of course I’m disappointed but we all understand that in the end this was the right decision. Feeling sorry for all the fans and everyone involved. Stay safe pic.twitter.com/XwPCOc621H

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) March 13, 2020

I’m devastated I can’t compete at my home GP here in Melbourne & get the season started. Ultimately though the right decision has been made & I think everyone can understand this is something we’ve never seen before. Sorry to all fans who came out for the support. Much love

— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) March 13, 2020

Will have to wait some more days to get officially back racing. Of course, very disappointed but this is the best decision for us drivers, teams and fans. Hopefully the whole situation will get better soonStay safe. #EO31 pic.twitter.com/Q3I3Z8GIDa

— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) March 13, 2020

Stay safe everyone, and let’s hope this whole COVID-19 situation gets better soon. Shame we can’t race here in Australia, but keeping everybody health & safety is priority. Was really looking forward to start the season, but we will have to wait. Lets hope for better news soon pic.twitter.com/Shqz41hWPE

— PIERRE GASLY (@PierreGASLY) March 13, 2020

Llegamos a con mucha ilusión, después de tanta preparación tristemente no vamos iniciar la temporada! Pero ahora lo más importante es la salud de todos, hay que ser conscientes y tomar todas las medidas que estén a nuestro alcance. Mucha fuerza para todos y cuidémonos mucho!!!! pic.twitter.com/puRMUjnKAC

— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) March 13, 2020

La salute viene prima di qualsiasi cosa.
Questo è il momento del coraggio, di uno un sport che corre a oltre 300 Km/h, ma che ha trovato il coraggio di fermarsi. Il coraggio di ognuno di noi nel saper aspettare, con impegno e responsabilità#restiamoacasa #AG99 #F1 pic.twitter.com/MiNlG0Xi26

— Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) March 13, 2020

No race here in Melbourne. Feels like a big thing for us as we prepared very hard for it BUT actually a very small thing compare to the challenge the world is facing right now. Stay safe everyone and try to fight #Covid_19 as much as you can. pic.twitter.com/rHcquFLgNz

— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) March 12, 2020

Was so pumped to go racing this weekend, but the safety, health and well being of everyone is by far the most important thing and this was the right thing to do. Stay safe everyone and look after each other

— Kevin Magnussen (@KevinMagnussen) March 12, 2020

Can’t remember ever being more excited for a race weekend than this one - but cancelling was absolutely the right call. Eveybody’s safety has to come first. Stay safe people

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) March 12, 2020

It goes without saying that I was extremely excited to finally make my debut in Formula 1 this weekend but it will have to wait. The safety and well being of everyone involved has to be the priority. Stay safe everyone and hopefully we can go racing sometime soon pic.twitter.com/38W0gbxXlt

— Nicholas Latifi (@NicholasLatifi) March 13, 2020