COVID-19 Update: 2021 Japanese Grand Prix called off

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2021 Japanese Grand Prix that was scheduled to be held in mid-October at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan has been canceled. And the reason is obvious, the COViD-19. Last year also, the race was canceled for the same concern. 

The official statement reads, "Following ongoing discussions with the promoter and authorities in Japan the decision has been taken by the Japanese government to cancel the race this season due to ongoing complexities of the pandemic in the country.” 

The country recently hosted the Olympic Games without spectators and is also ready to organize Paralympic competitions from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5 in the absence of visitors.

Coming back to the 2021 Japanese Grand Prix, it was the third event in a planned triple-header after the Russian Grand Prix and the rescheduled Turkish GP. The cancellation may lead to a reshuffling in the F1 calendar; a second American Grand Prix in Austin is likely to fill the gap left by the Suzuka race cancellation. However, the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Texas may create trouble in this.

Well, Japan is not the only country that called off the F1 Grand Prix due to the worldwide health crisis. Last month, the Victorian government canceled the Australian F1 Grand Prix, which was supposed to be held in November 2021.

In the contest of rescheduling the F1 calendar, the company’s press release stated, “Formula 1 is now working on details of the revised calendar and will announce the final details in the coming weeks. Formula 1 has proven this year, and in 2020 that we can adapt and find solutions to the ongoing uncertainties and is excited by the level of interest from locations to host Formula 1 events this year and beyond.”

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