The threat of teams boycotting the opening race of the season has been rubbished by Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott.
A ludicrous rumour doing the rounds claims some teams have expressed concern that following Fernando Alonso’s testing crash a fortnight ago, it would be unsafe for them to race alongside McLaren’s MP4-30 in case of electrocution.
It follows multiple conspiracy theories which claim Alonso was shocked by Honda’s ERS system, leading to him crashing and spending several days in hospital, as well as missing the first race.
That simply isn’t true according to Westacott who has been in contact with all concerned parties.
“We’re talking to the teams, Formula One and the FIA multiple times every day and a boycott certainly hasn’t been raised or discussed,” he told the West Australian.
“All the teams are coming to Melbourne; they’re excited about the start of the new season, the freight is on its way, F1 personnel are on site at Albert Park setting up the broadcast and from our perspective it’s 100 per cent all systems go.
“We hold no fears about anything apart from containing the enthusiasm of the Australian public across the four days,” he added.
McLaren stands by its explanation that a gust of wind caught Alonso off guard, forcing him wide, where he then lost traction and struck the wall. They’re adamant there is no evidence of a mechanical issue.
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