Hamilton: 'I am very, very surprised that we are here'

Lewis Hamilton is shocked that the Formula 1 season opening Australian Grand Prix will be going ahead, suggesting that money has been put ahead of health and safety.

Italy is in complete lockdown, sporting events are being cancelled or postponed globally as the coronavirus continues to spread, but Formula 1 keeps pressing on, something that has surprised and shocked Hamilton.

“I am very, very surprised that we are here,” said Hamilton in the drivers' press conference.

“I think it's great that we have races, but for me it's shocking that we're all sitting in this room.

"So many fans here already today and it seems like the rest of the world is reacting, probably a little bit late, but already this morning we've seen [Donald] Trump shutting down the borders from Europe to the States. We are seeing the NBA being suspended, and F1 continues to go on.

“I saw Jackie Stewart this morning, looking fit and healthy and well, and some people as I walked into the paddock, some elderly individuals. So it's a concern for the people here. It's definitely concerning for me.”

Five members of the Formula 1 paddock are now being tested for the coronavirus and Hamilton says that test results are now not expected back for five days, something he described somewhat sarcastically as a 'coincidence', as it will allow the race to run before cases are potentially confirmed.

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“I don't feel like I should shy away from the fact of my opinion," continued Hamilton. "The fact is we are here and I just urge everyone to really just be as careful as you can be in touching doors and surfaces. I hope everyone's got hand sanitizer, and really for the fans I really, really hope that they take precautions.

“I was walking through and seeing just everything going ahead as normal, like it's a normal day. So, I just hope all the fans stay safe, and I really hope we go through this weekend without seeing any fatalities.”

Pushed on why he felt they were still racing this weekend in the midst of the global crisis, Hamilton added simply, "Cash is king, but honestly I don't know. I can't really add much."

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