FIA cancelled Chinese Grand Prix after being forced to scrap plans for race track

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, were once forced to cancel the Chinese Grand Prix due to problems with the track.

This weekend, the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix will take place around the Shanghai International Circuit.

It will also be the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 campaign.

Mercedes star George Russell is looking to clinch back-to-back victories after winning last weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

Since 2004, the Chinese Grand Prix has been held around the Shanghai International Circuit.

However, prior to Shanghai being picked as the host city for the Chinese Grand Prix, the city of Zhuhai was well in the running.

Back in 1998, it was reported that the Chinese Grand Prix taking place around the Zhuhai International Circuit was provisionally added to the 1999 F1 calendar.

As per grandprix.com, then-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone said: "The FIA has been trying to move some of the races to Asia and this is something we want to see happen. It will happen in Zhuhai if everything is ready. This is guaranteed. We had some of our people from the FIA inspect the track and their response has been quite positive."

The 1999 Chinese Grand Prix was due to be held around the Zhuhai International Circuit. Image: Getty

However, it was then stated that the city of Zhuhai was having trouble with hotel rooms.

At the time, there were only around 600 rooms within 30 minutes of the circuit; there were rooms in nearby Macau and Hong Kong, but journeys would take around 90 minutes plus immigration delays.

Eventually, the 1999 Chinese Grand Prix was cancelled due to the fact that the Zhuhai International Circuit failed to meet FIA standards.

As reported by the BBC, the FIA stated that the cancellation was due to problems 'experienced by the organisers'.

At the time, it was claimed that there was hope that the event could take place later in 1999 and was confirmed for 2000.

A statement read: "There remains the possibility that the FIA can secure an agreement with the teams to run an additional race.

"In this case, the Chinese Grand Prix will be held in the autumn of 1999."