Red Bull will support any future F1 race postponements

Red Bull says it will fully back any decision to postpone further races on the 2020 Formula 1 calendar amid the ongoing global coronavirus crisis.

F1 has already called off its opening four rounds in Australia, Bahrain, China and Vietnam, while upcoming races in the Netherlands and Spain in early May are under threat of being postponed.

Championship officials are hopeful of starting the season in Monaco on May 24, but question marks also remain over whether the principality will be able to stage its planned race.

Red Bull was among the teams prepared to race in Melbourne before the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the McLaren camp and its subsequent withdrawal, but the Milton Keynes squad says it will support further measures to protect the wellbeing of the entire F1 community.

“Whilst we would all love to return to racing, the severity of this global pandemic is changing by the hour and the impact transcends our sport,” a Red Bull statement read.

“We therefore agree with the measures being taken to reduce the risk of transmission and will support any further race postponements that are deemed necessary.

"The health, safety and wellbeing of our team, guests, fans and the local communities we visit are our absolute priority and we are taking every possible precaution to mitigate the spread of the virus.”

Following the approval of F1’s ‘summer shutdown’ being brought forward to March-April from its traditional August slot, Red Bull confirmed it plans to close its factory on March 27 and is “implementing special working measures” to keep its staff safe.

"We will also be taking extra precautions as a team to protect our workforce while they are in the factory by implementing special working measures, guided by the UK Government and medical professionals,” the statement added.

“We share the disappointment of our fans and partners that purchased tickets to attend this year’s postponed Grands Prix and our well wishes go to our McLaren and Pirelli colleagues recovering from the COVID-19 virus, as well as the McLaren team members currently quarantined in Australia.”