F1: FIA prepared to ‘take action’ as coronavirus threatens races

Motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, says it will “take any action” necessary as the coronavirus threatens Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix.

April’s Chinese GP under threat

Formula 1 is scheduled to visit China in April, heading to Shanghai for the fourth race of the World Championship.

That, though, is in doubt.

With the coronavirus infecting over 7,000 people and causing 170 deaths, the FIA has revealed it is open to cancelling the grand prix if that’s the only way to keep people safe.

The FIA statement read: ‘Following the coronavirus epidemic that broke out in China at the beginning of the year, the FIA is closely monitoring the evolving situation with relevant authorities and its Member Clubs, under the direction of FIA Medical Commission President, Professor Gérard Saillant.

‘The FIA will evaluate the calendar of its forthcoming races and, if necessary, take any action required to help protect the global motor sport community and the wider public.’

Not only F1 facing a difficult decision

Formula 1 is not the only global racing series in doubt, there are also questions about the Formula E ePrix.

The Sanya ePrix, which takes place at the Haitang Bay Circuit, is scheduled for 21 March.

Sanya may be an island some 700 kilometres south of Wuhan but already the coronavirus is spreading around the globe.

The outbreak has already seen the International Ski Federation cancel February’s downhill and super-G races while the World Indoor Athletics Championship has been postponed until next year.

No quick fix to coronavirus

While both races are more than a month away, Dr Sergio Brusin, a senior expert at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in Stockholm, has warned there will be no quick fix to the outbreak.

Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, he explained that “human to human transmission” means this virus shows no sign of slowing down.

He’s not at all optimistic about the Chinese GP taking place.

“It is not going to be easy. We are in for the long run,” he said.

“It is not something that is going to disappear next week, it will be quite a lot of work to contain.

“What happens between now and April is extremely difficult to predict but if the infection keeps on spreading at this pace I would not be optimistic at having an F1 ticket in my pocket.”