The Formula 1 paddock convened for the first media duties of 2020 under a cloud on Thursday in Melbourne as three paddock personnel awaited results for coronavirus tests. First confirmed on Wednesday, that number would ultimately rise to nine, with one individual working for McLaren seeing their test return positive on Thursday evening.
But when the paddock initially came together prior to that diagnosis, still frequently sanitising hands and surfaces, the message from the drivers was clear: if there's a race, we'll race.
Coronavirus was the only logical starting point for every media session, but most offered a similar response to questions. Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo all said they had to "trust the FIA" on a call about their safety, with their views being echoed by many others up and down the paddock.