By AFPMore by this AuthorHANOIVietnam postponed its debut Formula One Grand Prix on Friday, as fears over the spread of the deadly coronavirus decimated the start of the track season. Scheduled for April 5, the Grand Prix in Hanoi was set to be the third race of the season and the first-ever to be held by the communist country. China has already postponed its Grand Prix to an unspecified date, while Australia on Friday cancelled the Melbourne race hours before practice sessions were due to begin. The Bahrain race was initially due to be held behind closed doors, but it was also shelved soon after the announcement from Vietnam. "The organiser of Formula 1 ... Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 officially announces the delay of F1 Hanoi race due to complicated development of Covid-19," the Vietnam Grand Prix Company (VGPC) said in a statement.

Source: Daily Nation March 13, 2020 12:33 UTC