MARCH 18, 2003

Pulling out of Malaysia...

Although the Formula 1 teams are already in place in Kuala Lumpur in preparation for the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, the expected onset of war in the Gulf, coupled with a new threat posed by a mysterious pneumonia-like virus in Asia, is causing many of those involved who are not already in Asia to ponder staying in Europe and not taking any chances.

The outbreak of the virus seems to emanate from southern China with Hong Kong reporting 83 cases. Singapore has discovered a further 20 cases of the illness and the first signs of the disease have been seen in recent days in Europe, mainly from people travelling to Europe from Asia. Doctors have yet to identify the virus and so there are naturally fears that the disease will spread rapidly around the world with warnings from the World Health Organisation.

In the circumstances a number of F1 people have decided that staying at home is probably a good idea...