FE monitoring coronavirus epidemic with Sanya in doubt

Formula E is continuing to monitor the ongoing coronavirus epidemic in China and consider its options for the planned Sanya E-Prix on March 21.

There are now over 7,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, which has spread to all regions of mainland China and a number of other countries, with the first cases in the UK being confirmed on Friday.

The British Foreign Office has warned against all but essential travel to China, while British Airways has suspended all flights both to and from mainland China for the next month.

The World Health Organisation declared coronavirus a "global emergency" on Thursday.

The running of the Formula 1 race in Shanghai on April 19 is in doubt, but Formula E is due to visit Sanya one month earlier on March 21 for the second running of the E-Prix there.

After an approach for comment by Crash.net, a Formula E spokesperson said: "We are aware of the situation, which is rapidly evolving on a daily basis.

"The health and safety of our staff and all championship participants is a priority of utmost importance.

"We are continuing to monitor the situation and want to take a decision in time, together with the FIA and our local partners."

Should the race be cancelled, Formula E is likely to explore adding a replacement race by turning one of the existing events into a double-header. The season finale in London is already schedule to be a double-header.

Any cancellation of the race in Sanya would leave a five-week gap in the calendar between the rounds in Marrakesh on February 29 and Rome on April 4.