Due to 2019-nCoV, FIA cancels Formula E in China

The rapid spread of the 2019-nCoV from Wuhan, China has sparked fear and concern all over the world. With nearly 14,000 infected, 300 dead, and being declared an international emergency according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is possibly one of the worst viral outbreaks of recent times. As a result, countries all over the world have started banning flights going to and originating from China.

Because of the virus’ continued spread, it’s no surprise that most major events/gatherings in China have also been canceled or postponed, including their annual Chinese New Year Celebrations. More recently, the FIA also announced that the upcoming Formula E event in China has also been canceled.

The China-leg of the 2019-2020 Formula E season was supposed to take place in Sanya. The city is situated in the Hainan province, an island south of the Mainland. Though Sanya is far from the outbreak in Wuhan, nearly 1,800kms, the organizers of Formula E are not taking any chances. As such, the race, which was supposed to take place on March 21, 2020, will not be pushing through.

“Given the current growing health concerns and with the World Health Organization declaring the coronavirus an international emergency, Formula E has taken the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of its traveling staff, championship participants and spectators, which remains of paramount importance,” said the Formula E in a statement.

Formula E organizers said that they are working closely with their regional partners and local authorities in the Hainan Province and Sanya Municipal Government to monitor the situation. They are also studying the possibility of postponing the race to a later date.

With the Formula E already postponing their race in China, this raises the question of whether the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix will also be postponed. The F1 race in China is scheduled to be held in Shanghai, which is only 800 km away from Wuhan.