Formula 1 is expected to cancel the Chinese Grand Prix for 2020 but a new five-year deal has been agreed,
The race in Shanghai was the first to be postponed due to Covid-19 but was seen as the most likely Asian race to be rescheduled later in the year.
However, earlier this month Chinese authorities cancelled all international sporting events, with the exception of 2022 Winter Olympics trials, for the remainder of this year.
There is still some hope that F1 could get an exception due to its strict coronavirus policies but RaceFans cites their source in the country in revealing Grand Prix promoter Juss Event has accepted the 2020 race will not take place.
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Looking forward, however, there is some good news for the Chinese GP as the same website claims a new five-year deal has been agreed to keep the race in Shanghai until 2025.
This is unsurprising as, even though fan attendance hasn't always been high, China is of course a very important market for F1 brands and sponsors.
Indeed, rather than losing the race, there has often been talk of a second Grand Prix in the country to try and bring the sport to more of the population.
And the world's most populous nation also appears closer than ever to having its first F1 race driver, as Renault junior Guanyu Zhou continues to impress in Formula 2.
