FIA Monitors Situation As Coronavirus Outbreak Causes Concern Over Chinese Grand Prix

The governing body for Formula 1 has suggested the Chinese Grand Prix may be at risk considering the coronavirus outbreak, which has caused international concern.

A statement from the FIA mentioned it would be monitoring the evolving situation. The FIA also claimed it would assess the calendar of the upcoming races and take deliberate actions as needed to help protect the international motorsport community and the public.

The reason for the concern could be the Chinese Grand Prix is scheduled to take place between 19 and 21 April, which is just a few months away.

At least 170 people have died from the disease while the number of confirmed cases has risen sharply in recent days to almost 6,000. It has overtaken the 5,327 confirmed cases of SARs, which occurred in 2002-2003 though the SARs outbreak had 750 casualties in 17 countries worldwide.

The Coronavirus has also been spreading with confirmed or suspected cases in Europe, America, and even Africa, let alone Asia. British airways declared it would be canceling all flights to china, and sporting events are already being relocated to other venues in the far east.

It should not be surprising then that the FIA is also concerned and considering options to take if the situation does not get any better.
A statement from the Formula 1 authority said they would continue to monitor the situation in China with the promoter on the ground.

Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends may attract as many as between tens and hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. A virus outbreak such as the Coronavirus could be the match that lights the kerosene rags fueling a global disaster.

A spokesperson from the FIA said the decision would be made along with F1, the race promoter, and the Federation of Automobile Sports in the Chinese Mainland.

Following past evidence, the Formula 1 authorities are going to wait as long as necessary before they decide to postpone or call off the race. The hope is the virus outbreak is under control before they have to make decisions on whether the race is to be held as scheduled.

The last Grand Prix, which was canceled because of an emergency, was the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2011 after protests erupted in the country due to the Arab Spring. It was ruled the violent demonstrations could spill over to the event.

The Grand Prix is not the only sporting event that is being threatened apparently. The World Indoor Athletics Championships, which is held on 13-15 March, was postponed for a year.