Bahrain GP will take place without spectators due to coronavirus fears

Bahrain Grand Prix organizers announced Sunday that the F1 race on March 22 will take place without any spectators due to coronavirus concerns, according to ESPN.

"Given the continued spread of COVID-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travelers and local fans to interact in close proximity, would not be the right thing to do at the present time," the Bahrain International Circuit said in a statement.

"But to ensure that neither the sport, nor its global supporter base, is unduly impacted, the race weekend itself will still go ahead as a televised event," the statement continued.

The event is the second race of the fast-approaching season. The Australian Grand Prix begins on Friday and will go ahead as planned, while Vietnam (April 5) is the third stop on the calendar. The Chinese Grand Prix, the fourth race, has already been postponed because of a massive outbreak in the country.