Formula 1: Chinese Grand Prix could be in jeopardy

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Formula 1’s annual visit to Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix could be in jeopardy.

The coronavirus outbreak in China, which has left hundreds dead and many thousands more infected or in danger of being infected, could result in the 2020 Formula 1 schedule being altered.

Several international sporting events in the country have already been postponed or canceled amid growing concern about the spread of this virus, and the Chinese Grand Prix could join that list.

As of now, the Chinese Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 19. It is slated to be the fourth of what would be an all-time high total of 22 races in the 2020 season, five weeks removed from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday, March 15.

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Between these two races are the Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit (Sunday, March 22) and the inaugural Vietnamese Grand Prix at Hanoi Street Circuit (Sunday, April 5).

Because of the fact that the 2020 schedule contains a record-breaking 22 races, rescheduling the Chinese Grand Prix, should it end up not taking place as scheduled, could become a headache that ultimately results in a complete cancellation.

In a statement that was released by the FIA earlier this week, they stated that they “will evaluate the calendar of its forthcoming races” under the supervision of medical commission president Gerard Saillant and “take any action required to help protect the global motor sport community and the wider public”.

The 56-lap race around the 16-turn, 3.388-mile (5.452-kilometer) Shanghai International Circuit road course in Jiading, Shanghai, China has been on the Formula 1 schedule since the 2004 season, and it has served as one of the season’s first four races dating back to the 2009 season.

Formula 1 has not had to cancel a race since the 2011 season when the Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled to be the season open on Sunday, March 13 but had to be removed from the calendar by race organizers as a result of anti-government protests going on in the country at the time. It was originally rescheduled, but the controversy over its reinstatement ultimately resulted in it being canceled.

Should the Chinese Grand Prix be canceled, it would create a four-week gap in the schedule that would be just as long as the annual summer break, as the season’s fifth race, the Dutch Grand Prix, is not scheduled to take place at Circuit Zandvoort until Sunday, May 3.

Six-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes is the reigning Chinese Grand Prix winner. He is the only driver to win the race more than twice, and he has won it on six occasions (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019).