World Rally Championship teams have begun the movement of freight towards this month’s Rally México, with all parties keeping a close eye on the developing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
With major sports events being cancelled in the Far East and Europe, there had been concerns about next week’s León-based third round of the WRC season. Freight is expected to be flown out of Europe from Tuesday, with the personnel following across the Atlantic later in the week.
In a statement, the FIA said: “Following the coronavirus epidemic that broke out at the beginning of the year and, to date, has mainly affected China, the FIA is closely monitoring the evolving situation with relevant authorities and its Member Clubs, under the direction of FIA Medical Commission president, Professor Gérard Saillant.
“The FIA will evaluate the calendar of its forthcoming races and, if necessary, take any action required to help protect the global motorsport community and the wider public.”
Heading to the Americas is taking the WRC away from the virus, with Mexico only having five reported cases of infection. Argentina, the next stop for the series, has none at the time of writing.
M-Sport Ford team principal Richard Millener told DirtFish: “We will obviously keep in close contact with the organisers and the FIA to make sure we are aligned on our approach and make sure we follow all recommendations.
“At this moment we are all preparing for Rally México with our airfreight leaving tomorrow (Tuesday) and the team starting to depart at the weekend. The global economy and situation at the moment is being well and truly tested but until it is unsafe to do so, we should continue with our plans and we hope that we can see some great competition next week at the event.”
In June, the WRC heads to the Italian island of Sardinia, and the season is due to conclude in November with a return to Japan – where COVID-19 has already cancelled several motorsport events.
