Formula One has confirmed that the Japanese Grand Prix has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has forced the series to reshuffle its schedule several times this season, with races cancelled in Australia, Canada, China and Singapore, whilst the Turkish Grand Prix was reorganised for later in the year after initially also being cancelled.
In the case of Australia, the cancellation of the Grand Prix also represented the second consecutive year the event was scrapped, having initially just been postponed from its usual spot in March to November.
The Japanese Grand Prix was due to be the 17th round of the 2021 season and was scheduled for 10 October, with the campaign beginning with the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on 29 August.
‘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,” a Formula One statement read.
‘Formula One is now working on the details of the revised calendar and will announce the final details in the coming weeks. Formula One 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 One events this year and beyond.’
The announcement follows the confirmation by Japanese Olympic organisers and political decision makers that no spectators will attend the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, commencing next week on 24 August.
