Formula 1 Closing Bahrain Grand Prix to Public

This year’s Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix will be a ‘participants-only’ event, race organizers have announced, citing the international coronavirus outbreak and travel restrictions currently limiting people who have visited a list of affected countries from entering Bahrain.

“In consultation with our international partners and the Kingdom’s national health taskforce, Bahrain has made the decision to hold this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix as a participants-only event,” a statement from the Bahrain International Circuit read. “As an F1 host nation, balancing the welfare of supporters and race goers is a tremendous responsibility. Given the continued spread of Covid-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travelers and local fans to interact in close proximity, would not be the right thing to do at the present time. But to ensure that neither the sport, nor its global supporter base, is unduly impacted, the race weekend itself will still go ahead as a televised event.”

Organizers had previously suspended ticket sales following the announcement of the travel restrictions. Only race teams and accredited media will now be allowed to attend the event.