The members ꦐof the McLaren Formula 1 team that were observing a quarantine period in Melbourne followiꩲng the abandoned Australian Grand Prix have now returned home to the UK.

McLaren withdrew from the season-opening round after a member of its crew contracted COVID-19, which resulted in the race being cancelled. A number of senior team personnel remained in Melbourne to 🅺support 14 members of the team that were self-isolating for 14 days.

On Thursday morning, McLaren confirmed that all team personnel had returned safely home as of Wednesday even൲ing.

“We are pleased to confirm that as of yesterday eveniꦚng, all team personnel who were i𓃲n self-isolation in Melbourne, as well as management who had stayed with them, have now safely returned home,” a team spokesperson said.

“Thanks once again on behalf of the teaꦏ🌸m for all the support and well wishes.”

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl revealed ♋on Tuesday that the crew would be returning to the UK this week.

“They’re doing well, I stayed out with them for a couple of extra days and some senior me𒅌mbers of the team are still there with them,” he exp🤡lained.

“All the team membeꦿrs who had been tested as a precaution tested negative🎃, which is fantastic news.

“The person that had tested positive is now feeling well and we look 🌜forward to welcoming everyone back to the UK this week.”

Reflecting on his decision to pull McLaren out of the Australian Grand Prix, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said: “Even though we’re all racers and we were looking f♑orward to hitting the track, it was an easy dꦦecision to make. Protecting the wellbeing of our team is always the number one priority. 

“We have a du🃏ty of care to our people, fans and wider F1 stakeholders, and that’s why we informed Formula 1 and the FIA of our withdrawal shortly after hearing on the Thursday night that aꦕ member of the team had tested positive.”