China has been offered the chance to host two races in revised 2020 F1 schedule. Shanghai undecided over two-race proposal.

China has been offered the chance to host not one, but two races as part of the revised 2020 schedule – but the Shanghai government is undecided.

The original Chinese Grand Prix should have been held at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 17-19 but was put on the postponed list as the global health pandemic took hold.

By postponing the race, it gave officials the option of returning in the year and that scenario is unfolding. However, the case is if whether Shanghai wants to hold one race or join the likes of Austria and Silverstone in becoming a double header.

“International sport organisations care a lot about these world-class sport events in China and Shanghai,” Shanghai Sports Bureau Director Xu Bin told Shanghai People’s Radio.

“Despite a lot of changes of our events due to the pandemic, we have received support from international sport organisations and national associations for some of our events.

“We would be allowed to hold the events in Shanghai at a suitable time in the second half of the year, depending on the situation of the pandemic.”

“No decision has been made yet [about back-to-back races]. It’s proposed by FOM.

“F1 has announced they will resume the opening eight European races, without any round in Asia. The event originally scheduled…has been postponed to the second half of the year.

“During the discussion, FOM asked whether we could host two races in Shanghai. It’s not been decided. It will depend on the situation of pandemic.”

Bahrain has emerged as another venue to potentially host two races, with FIA race director Michael Masi saying that there are no regulatory obstacles to overcome if Formula 1 wants to run a second race on the shorter oval circuit. because it holds a Grade 1 licence.