FIA will 'react if necessary' to coronavirus threat ahead of F1 Chinese GP

The FIA states that it will "react if necessary" to the coronavirus outbreak in China ahead of the Formula 1 grand prix event there in April.

F1 is monitoring the situation as doubt lingers over whether or not the event will go ahead due to the rapid spread of the virus. 

The city of Wuhan, where the virus' epicentre is located, has been placed on complete lockdown to contain the virus' expanse.

170 people have died from the virus, with that number climbing every day. Britain's foreign office is advising against "all but essential travel" across all of mainland China.

"Following the ongoing developments in China and in light of official advice issued by the foreign office, we continue to monitor the situation in China closely with the FIA and the promoter on the ground," said Formula 1.

The FIA added: "Following the coronavirus epidemic that broke out in China at the beginning of the year, the FIA is closely monitoring the evolving situation with relevant authorities and its Member Clubs, under the direction of FIA Medical Commission President, Professor Gérard Saillant.

"The FIA will evaluate the calendar of its forthcoming races and, if necessary, take any action required to help protect the global motor sport community and the wider public.

"At this stage there's not much we can do except watch the situation and react if necessary, if recommendations are made by the relevant authorities."

The 2020 Chinese Grand Prix weekend is currently scheduled to take from the 17th to the 19th of April. 

Formula E is also set to travel to the Asian country in March for the Sanya ePrix. On Wednesday, it was announced that the World Indoor Athletics Championships, which was to take place in Nanjing, 500km from Wuhan in mid-March, has been postponed for a year.

The last time F1 cancelled a world championship round in the event of an emergency was the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix following vast protests in the country.