Calls for F1 to axe Chinese Grand Prix due to coronavirus increase as outbreak spreads across world

ORGANISERS of the Chinese Grand Prix are coming under pressure to scrap the race due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The race in Shanghai is due to go ahead on April 19 but the city’s sports authorities have recommended cancelling all sporting events there to help prevent the further spread of the virus.

The Chinese GP is the fourth race of the season and F1 bosses have been monitoring the situation.

However, they need the full co-operation of the promoter to cancel the event and to reach an amicable financial agreement between the two parties.

The Shanghai Sports General Association said in a statement on Wednesday sporting events should “formulate a plan for epidemic prevention to avoid internal infections”.

The statement added: “Organisations should also implement a daily hygiene management system and strengthen health education to urge employees to protect themselves.”

The world indoor athletics championships scheduled for Nanjing on March 13-15 has been postponed until next year.

And Formula E bosses have abandoned plans for a race in Sanya next month.

Basketball, badminton and boxing qualifying tournaments for this year’s Tokyo Olympics have also been postponed.

Finding a new date for the Chinese GP later in the year will prove difficult as this season was scheduled to see a record-breaking 22-race calendar.

The spread of the deadly virus could also impact other races too as transport hubs monitor the situation.

The inaugural Vietnamese Grand Prix in Hanoi could also be at risk, given its proximity to the Chinese border just 100 miles away.