Formula 1 has offered Shanghai the opportunity to host a doubleheader later this year, it has emerged.
The Chinese Grand Prix, originally set for April, was the first race to be postponed due to Covid-19 back in February, with the pandemic originating from the city of Wuhan.
However, with the situation now vastly improved in the country, and as countries like Singapore and Japan cancel their races, China is seen as one of the most likely GP’s that could take place outside of Europe and the Middle East.
Not only that, but F1 could try to capitalise by holding back-to-back rounds at the Shanghai International Circuit in the push to reach at least a 15-race calendar.
“F1 has announced they will resume the opening eight European races, without a round in Asia,” local sports bureau director Xu Bin noted to the Shanghai People’s Radio Station.
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“The event (Chinese GP) originally scheduled has been postponed to the second half of the year.
“FOM asked whether we could host two races in Shanghai in the discussion. It’s not been decided. It will depend on the pandemic situation.”
This comes as uncertainty continues over the fate of F1’s three late-season races in the Americas, in Austin, Mexico City and Sao Paulo.
But the fourth Grand Prix in the region in Canada, which was set to take place last weekend, isn’t ruling out a surprise return.
“Discussions are continuing with the various stakeholders in the event, be it Formula 1, the City of Montreal, Tourisme Montreal and the other authorities involved in hosting the race this fall,” promoter Francois Dumontier told Le Journal de Montreal.
Naturally, the big consideration for a later race date will be the climate, as the average temperature in Montreal is a rather chilly 13C in October.
