Albon: Australian F1 Grand Prix atmosphere different due to virus fear
Red Bull's Alex Albon says the atmosphere around 2020 Formula 1 season opener feels "different" as emergency measures are introduced at the Australian Grand Prix because of the coronavirus outbreak
The Melbourne race is set to go ahead this weekend despite the developing situation regarding the spread of COVID-19 across the world.
Autograph sessions that were scheduled to be held at Albert Park will be replaced by Q&A interviews, and press events organised for the build-up to the race have been impacted, as teams implement measures to reduce interactions for their drivers.
Albon was speaking at Red Bull media event alongside his team-mate Max Verstappen at Melbourne's Station Pier - where a 2m exclusion zone (pictured above) around the drivers was enforced during a press conference.
He said: "Even now walking around Melbourne it's obviously a different kind of atmosphere to what it's been like in the past.
"I mean I speak about the past, I've done one year. [But] it's going to be different.
"I'm not sure what's being put in place to be honest with you [regarding measures in the Albert Park paddock].
"But hopefully we can find the right balance between the drivers and the teams [on] the safety because it is obviously a serious problem, [while] also giving something to the fans to be able to interact with us in some way."
Three F1 team personnel have been taken in to self-isolation while tests are conducted to see if they have contracted coronavirus.
Following Renault's 2020 livery launch event at Albert Park on Wednesday - where Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon took the covers of the RS20 - its drivers were withdrawn from an accompanying press conference.
Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul explained that the measure was being enforced "due to the situation" regarding coronavirus concerns.
"Obviously as we were planning this event, we were expecting a little bit more of a light atmosphere," Abiteboul said.
"Obviously I'm referring to the very particular circumstances in which we are in Australia and Melbourne.
"Usually it's a moment that we all love when we are racing in Formula 1, so I wanted to make a mention of that.
"I also wanted to say that our drivers were supposed to be with us for that event, but due to the situation, we've excused them from the occasion.
"I hope you understand why we are taking such measures."
F1 driver autograph sessions canned over coronavirus fears
Can Sainz emulate his world champion lineage?
F1 Spanish GP: Verstappen heads Alonso in FP2
F1 Spanish GP: Verstappen heads Alonso in FP2 F1 Spanish GP: Verstappen heads Alonso in FP2
Why Mercedes' long-awaited F1 upgrades are not the improvement Hamilton "dreamed of"
Why Mercedes' long-awaited F1 upgrades are not the improvement Hamilton "dreamed of" Why Mercedes' long-awaited F1 upgrades are not the improvement Hamilton "dreamed of"
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
Albon: losing chicane that “ruined” Spain will improve racing
Albon: losing chicane that “ruined” Spain will improve racing Albon: losing chicane that “ruined” Spain will improve racing
Vowles: Williams encourages Albon to speak his mind on F1 radio
Vowles: Williams encourages Albon to speak his mind on F1 radio Vowles: Williams encourages Albon to speak his mind on F1 radio
Why Albon won't be "throwing around laptops" to gain a 2023 F1 edge
Why Albon won't be "throwing around laptops" to gain a 2023 F1 edge Why Albon won't be "throwing around laptops" to gain a 2023 F1 edge
IndyCar Detroit: O’Ward fastest in first practice on new street track
IndyCar Detroit: O’Ward fastest in first practice on new street track IndyCar Detroit: O’Ward fastest in first practice on new street track
Wrong weather information cost Ogier WRC Sardinia advantage
Wrong weather information cost Ogier WRC Sardinia advantage Wrong weather information cost Ogier WRC Sardinia advantage
What we learned from Friday practice at F1's 2023 Spanish GP
What we learned from Friday practice at F1's 2023 Spanish GP What we learned from Friday practice at F1's 2023 Spanish GP
Lappi's 'risky' set-up gamble paying off with WRC Sardinia lead
Lappi's 'risky' set-up gamble paying off with WRC Sardinia lead Lappi's 'risky' set-up gamble paying off with WRC Sardinia lead
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14 How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate
Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.