Formula 1 teams have expressed doubt that the Chinese Grand Prix can be rescheduled this year.
The event was planned to be the fourth round of the campaign, on April 19, but has been postponed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 coronavirus.
It is understood that the most feasible option is to hold a condensed grand prix in Shanghai on the weekend in-between events in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, on November 22.
But the logistical challenges of getting equipment and personnel from Brazil to China and then to Abu Dhabi in successive weeks – at the end of the season – means even this is deemed improbable.
“It’s a tough calendar,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
“If it were to go Brazil, China, Abu Dhabi, that’s a big ask at that time of year from all the staff, so we’d have to look at that and consider that very carefully.”
Haas boss Guenther Steiner added: “We can put a triple header on, but I don’t know when this virus is over. I have no idea.
“But if there’s any risk, and for sure I’m against it, because if there is risk, we shouldn’t take it. They [Formula 1] do the same think. I think they look in to that stuff, hoping that it is over, but I don’t think that anybody can say that in November this virus is gone.
“I hope it is gone because it is not good, but there is no guarantee of that one. So if it is all gone, we see how it works. If it is even possible logistically to do. A lot of ifs still.
“They are looking into it, but they haven’t come back to us with a proposal how we are going to do it. For sure they have to look and see what is possible, but they have not come to us with a proposal.”
The Formula 1 paddock reconvened this week in Barcelona for testing but McLaren has prohibited anyone who has visited China in the last fortnight from entering its Brand Centre hospitality structure.