F1 still hopeful of Chinese GP; minor hurdles holding up Portugal

Formula 1 officials are hoping this year's Chinese Grand Prix will still be given the green light, GPFans understands.

Fresh doubt was cast on the race when the country's General Administration of Sport announced on Thursday that with the exception of trials for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, virtually all international sporting events would be cancelled.

It is understood, however, there may still be exemptions for certain sports events, with F1 in negotiations with race officials in a bid to secure a slot on the calendar.

The suggestion is that with F1 proving with its double-header start to the season in Austria, and with no positive Covid-19 cases from over 8,000 tests over the two GPs so far, it can operate safely to the satisfaction of Chinese Grand Prix organisers.

The race, that was originally scheduled to take place on April 5 but was the first to be officially cancelled due to the pandemic, has been given a provisional calendar date of October 16-18.

If it goes ahead, it would follow a fortnight on from F1's return to Portugal.

Aside from announcing races at Mugello and Sochi on Friday, it had been hoped a race at the Portimão circuit in the Algarve would also be confirmed.

GPFans understands, however, that a deal for the October 2-4 race is close to being finalised, with just minor hurdles to be cleared before it is officially declared as what would be round 11 of the season.

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