Formula E has decided to postpone the scheduled Sanya ePrix in China next month as the Coronavirus outbreak continues.
The event, which only joined the Formula E schedule in Season 5, was set to take place on March 21 but with now over 14,000 confirmed cases and 305 deaths, the sensible decision to delay has now been taken.
“In view of the continued spread of coronavirus and after close consultation with the relevant departments of Hainan Province and Sanya Municipal Government, Formula E – together with the FIA, the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of People’s Republic of China (CAMF), and regional partner Enova Holdings – have jointly decided not to race in Sanya on the scheduled date of March 21, 2020,” Formula E said in a statement on Sunday.
“Given the current growing health concerns and with the World Health Organisation declaring the coronavirus an international emergency, Formula E has taken the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of its travelling staff, championship participants and spectators, which remains of paramount importance.
“We are working closely with our regional partner and the local authorities in Hainan Province and Sanya Municipal Government, to continue monitoring the situation as it develops.
“All parties will take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates should the situation improve.”
This decision will also throw the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, currently set for April 19, into further doubt though the latest official word is F1 continue to closely monitor the situation.
The postponement means Formula E will now have a five-week break between the Marakkesh ePrix on February 29 and the Rome ePrix on April 5.