F1's Vietnam Grand Prix called off over coronavirus

Decision deals blow to Vingroup's hope for auto brand exposure

The Red Bull team performs during the opening ceremony for the Formula One Vietnamese Grand Prix in April 2019. © Reuters

TOMOYA ONISHI, Nikkei staff writer

March 13, 2020 23:08 JST

HANOI -- Next month's Vietnam Grand Prix 2020, slated to be the first Formula One auto racing event in the Southeast Asian nation, has been postponed owing to the coronavirus outbreak.

The decision, announced Friday by Vingroup subsidiary Grand Prix Vietnam, follows the cancellation of this weekend's round one race in Australia. One of U.K.-based McLaren's team members tested positive for the new coronavirus and decided to withdraw from the race on Thursday.