Formula 1 has enquired as to whether the Shanghai International Circuit could host two races in the 2020 season, but the city’s government has not yet made any decision.
This year’s Chinese Grand Prix, originally proposed for mid-April, was the first Formula 1 event to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Seven grands prix have now been cancelled ahead of the revised season-opening double-header in Austria next month, with further flyaway rounds set to be abandoned.
It is understood that Formula 1 is increasingly unlikely to visit the Americas or new-for-2020 round Vietnam, and is focusing hosting further European rounds, prior to races in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
Mugello and Portimao, which have never hosted Formula 1 grands prix, are under consideration, alongside former race venues Hockenheim and Imola.
But the financially lucrative events in Russia and China are the most likely events to take place should grands prix be possible outside of Western Europe and the Middle East regions.
Speaking to the Shanghai People’s Radio Station on Monday, the city’s Sports Bureau Director Xu Bin said: “F1 has announced they will resume the opening eight European races, without a round in Asia.
“The event 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.”
Formula 1 is striving to hold at least 15 races this year in order to satisfy existing contracts with broadcasters.
Formula 1’s Shanghai International Circuit has held the Chinese Grand Prix annually since 2004.
The event had an end-of-season date for its first five editions and has been held as late as October 19.
