Mercedes say plans are still in motion to go ahead with the Chinese Grand Prix despite the ongoing Coronavirus.
The race in Shanghai, currently set to April 19, is in major doubt because of the virus which has now killed over 1000 people with a total of 42,000 cases reported across the country.
A final decision by local authorities is expected in the coming few weeks, however, but in the meantime, preparations continue.
“In terms of China, Formula E was cancelled,” team boss Toto Wolff commented at the launch of Mercedes’ 2020 livery on Monday.
“They are about [four] weeks I believe before us and they cancelled last week. So, I would very much hope that we go to China.
“After this, I’m going to the Chinese embassy for my biometric scan. At the moment everything looks like we are going to China.”
Given the size of the Chinese market and its importance to F1, it’s clear the sport’s bosses will do everything to avoid cancelling the event, particularly after a proposed reschedule was rejected by teams last week.
And while the Mercedes boss is among those eager to see the race go ahead, he did concede F1 should only go if safe to do so.
“Not going would be a shame,” he added. “We had full grandstands last year, it was sold out.
“China starts to become a really important market in terms of the fan followership, we have great activities in Shanghai around the race and not going there would obviously not be great for the fans and ourselves.
“But health comes first, and I hope that they get in control of that. That’s the bigger priority.”