Fears over the Chinese Coronavirus outbreak continue to grow as the sporting world scrambles to protect athletes and fans alike.

Formula 1 bosses are no different spending the last few days desperately trying to come to a decision with regards to the Chinese Grand Prix, set for the weekend of 17-19 April.

The Shanghai event is normally one of the highlights of the calendar but it's looking increasingly likely that it simply won't take place in 2020.

According to reports in ESPN and The Times, an announcement is expected soon with the powers-that-be still deciding whether they should postpone the event or scrap it altogether.

Postponing the race could prove to be very difficult though with a staggering 22 races scheduled for this year.

It is the busiest F1 calendar there has ever been and finding another appropriate date for the race to be held might not be possible.

The Shanghai showpiece was scheduled in between the debuting Vietnamese Grand Prix and the returning Dutch Grand Prix but bosses are concerned that a reschedule would result in a brutal triple-header.

It also cannot be held during the summer break as that time is strictly mandated in the regulations.

As a result, it looks as though a complete cancellation is the only option.

With the Coronavirus death toll now surpassing 1,000, there is absolutely no need to risk having the race in a year where there are so many races anyway.

There had been talk that the Vietnamese race, set for two weeks earlier than the Chinese, could be affected as well.

However, per the report in The Times, the Hanoi based Grand Prix will go ahead as planned.

Preparations for the upcoming season have now reached their peak with various teams unveiling their new cars this week.

With pre-season testing in Barcelona only days away, we are getting closer and closer to knowing what kind of season we can expect.

Mercedes are still favourites, but you can't help but feel that Red Bull and Ferrari are much better placed to make a real fist of it this time out.