FORMULA ONE bosses could be forced to cancel the Vietnam Grand Prix due to the coronavirus.
The news comes after Formula One chiefs confirmed the Chinese Grand Prix would be postponed while health authorities tackle the deadly virus.
After the Chinese GP was postponed, the Vietnamese race is also under threat due to the coronavirusCredit: AFP – Getty
However, SunSport understands that the Vietnam GP is now also in doubt, as the track in Hanoi is just 100 miles from the Chinese border.
Plus, F1 teams could also struggle to make the season-opener in Melbourne as travel routes to Australia are closed down due to the virus.
A statement from the sport’s governing body said: “The FIA is closely monitoring the evolving situation with relevant authorities and its Member Clubs, under the direction of FIA Medical Commission President, Professor Gerard 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.”
The Shanghai race was due to run on April 19 however, that has now been shelved with F1 trying to squeeze it in later in the year.
However, attention will now switch to the Vietnam GP on April 5 as the country faces an anxious wait to see if the race gets the go-ahead.
HANOI DEBUT
F1’s owners, Liberty Media, are desperate for the Hanoi race to be a success as it is the first new addition since they bought the sport in 2017.
Yet there could be more pressing concerns for F1 regarding the first race of the season in Melbourne on March 15.
While the threat of coronavirus in Australia is minimal, the difficulty could be for teams and media to find an operating transport route.
Airport hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong both have confirmed positive tests for the virus.
And airlines are already taking necessary precautions to limit its spread with Cathay Pacific cancelling more than half their flights in February and March.
Should more flights be axed, it would throw pre-race preparations into chaos.
Meanwhile, F1 boss, Chase Carey, admits that it could be impossible to accommodate the Chinese GP later in the season.
One possible option would be swapping with the Russian GP or alternatively hosting a race in Shanghai immediately after it.
But that would mean a triple-header of China, Russia and Japan, something the teams are likely to oppose.
Another option would be for the Chinese GP to take the date of the Abu Dhabi GP and the race in the Middle East moving back a week.
However, Carey admits it he is uncertain whether a date can be found, saying: “Part of the challenge is that you don’t really know the timeframe (of the virus).
“Clearly we have a busy calendar so it’s not easy to reschedule this late when essentially we are a month out from our first race of the season.
“We will work with our Chinese partners to try and see, when we know more, what options might exist.”
The FIA will not take any risks with the virus with the track in Hanoi is just 100 miles from the Chinese borderCredit: Alamy Live News
This year was supposed to see the maiden Vietnam Grand Prix take placeCredit: AFP – Getty
Brit posts video diary of frantic bid to get flight home from coronavirus city of Wuhan and his quarantine in Milton Keynes hotel
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
