The FIA has released a statement regarding the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak in China, promising to “take any action” necessary to protect the motorsport community.
With the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix scheduled to take place from April 17-19, concerns are mounting the event will be unable to go ahead in the country at the centre of the pandemic, with the latest reports placing the death toll at 170 among 7,711 infected worldwide..
The FIA statement, released earlier today, reads as follows:
“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.”
Already this week, Chinese officials have cancelled all motorsport events in the country through the end of March, while only yesterday the World Indoor Athletics Championship — set to run in Nanjing from March 13-15 — was postponed until 2021.