Coronavirus: Ferrari takes measures - Bahrain restricts travel!

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Ferrari has taken 'precautionary measures' in reaction to the increased presence of the coronavirus in Italy, and more specifically in the Emilia Romagna region.

In the past week, the novel virus' propagation has led to Italy becoming Europe's worst-affected country, with more than 332 confirmed cases and 11 deaths.

The cases are highly concentrated in Northern Italy where 212 infections have been confirmed, shutting parts of the region where many quarantines have also been enforced.

The first town to be shuttered was Codogno, located about 60 kilometres southeast of Milan but a case was also detected in Modena, Ferrari's historic hometown.

McLaren adopts zero tolerance policy towards coronavirus threat

The Italian manufacturer has shut down both its museums in Maranello and suspended tours of its factory

It has also “restricted access for employees that are residents or have visited the affected municipalities and restricted all non-critical business travel."

The company also said that "new measures will be promptly implemented and communicated should they become necessary".

The outbreak of the coronavirus in China forced Formula 1 to postpone its Chinese Grand Prix, initially scheduled to take place in Shanghai in April.

Formula 1's chiefs and the FIA are also closely monitoring the situation in Vietnam where several villages close to Hanoi were put under lockdown following the emergence of several coronavirus cases in the country.

Furthermore, Bahrain, where F1 is set to race in less than a month, has detected 21 cases, forcing the country to close all schools for two weeks and suspend flights from Dubai and Iran for a period of 48 hours as the Kingdom assesses the country's situation.

In Barcelona, where teams will resume pre-season testing on Wednesday, McLaren has restricted access to its motorhome to anyone who has visited China in the past three weeks.

As the coronavirus outbreak spreads in Europe, the 2020 F1 season may well incur more disruption in the coming weeks and months.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.