Formula 1: Could the Chinese Grand Prix be replaced?

The Chinese Grand Prix is no longer scheduled to take place in the 2020 Formula 1 season. Could it be replaced by a race not seen since 2006?

As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Formula 1 opted to cancel the Chinese Grand Prix, which was scheduled to take place at Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday, April 19.

This news came after several other events in China were canceled due to this horrific outbreak, including the Formula E race in Sanya that was scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 21.

The 58-lap race around the 16-turn, 3.388-mile (5.452-kilometer) road course in Jiading, Shanghai, China could still end up taking place, although it is unlikely that another date would be found, and it has already been confirmed that it will not swap dates with another race.

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But could the race be straight-up replaced?

Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, which hosted the Grand Prix of San Marino for 27 years, has reportedly approached Automobile Club of Italy president Angelo Sticchi Damiani regarding the possibility of hosting a race in place of the Chinese Grand Prix.

The 17-turn, 3.050-mile (4.908-kilometer) road course in Imola, Emilia-Romagna, Italy last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2006, but track management has never given up the idea of the series returning to the track.

As for the 2020 season, track president Uberto Selvatico Estense has stated that the track could be ready on time and that it is still licensed for Formula 1 cars to compete, but that the task would still be rather difficult on such short notice.

Here is what he had to say about the matter, according to Motorsport.

"“It would be very difficult to arrange it, but the track is ready. We can move very fast to host a grand prix as we did in the past. We would not be at our best, of course. But if it’s necessary, we will move on with it. We’ve got the homologation for F1. The pit building is OK. I think we miss some parts of the hospitality, but we can organize it very quickly if necessary.“It’s kind of a mission impossible, but why not? Anything is possible if Liberty wants. I’m a dreamer! I always hoped that this opportunity would come. But it’s very difficult, it’s true."

The main reason why it would be difficult to arrange at this point is the fact that a representative European race hosting fee would not be able to be paid, this due to the relatively short timeframe and lack of time (under two months) to sell tickets. That in itself could be a big turnoff for Liberty Media.

Selvatico Estense continued.

"“For sure it will not be possible to pay the same fee that others are paying. But it happened in a similar way in the past with the GP2 series, when the promoter asked us to solve the problem. Finally we reached an agreement and it was possible. When I spoke with Mr. Sticchi Damiani he said it’s not only a question of time, it’s also a question of money.“But we are facing a good time with the political situation. We have a new president of the region, Emilia Romagna [Stefano Bonaccini, elected in 2014]. And we are talking about a very important sports event. So I think people will do their best effort, although I don’t know if will be sufficient. We have the opportunity to use the San Marino name, because I spoke in the past with those guys, and they agreed. So I think it should not be a problem.”"

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Will the 2020 Formula 1 schedule see the addition of the Grand Prix of San Marino amid the removal of the Chinese Grand Prix? It is clearly unlikely, but it remains possible.

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