The Japanese Grand Prix has been officially cancelled for the current Formula One season due to virus “complexities”, Formula 1 confiremd earlier today (Aug 18).
The event was scheduled to take place at Suzuka on October 10, but Formula 1 announced that the Japanese government had pulled the plug due to the country’s pandemic situation, as Japan is currently battling record coronavirus infections, with Tokyo and other regions under a state of emergency.
“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,” said a Formula 1 statement.
The decision follows Grand Prix cancellations this season in Australia, China, Canada and Singapore, as Formula 1 added that it had yet to decide how to fill the gap after the cancellation of the Suzuka event.
The figure-of-eight Suzuka circuit, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2022, has hosted 31 GPs since 1987, with the drivers’ world title being decided there on 11 occasions. A few months ago, Japanese Grand Prix promoters and Formula 1 chiefs confirmed that the race would remain at the Suzuka circuit until the 2024 season.
Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz expressed his dissatisfaction and disappointment for the news that the Japanese Grand Prix will not take place in 2021:
“Sad to hear the Japanese GP has been canceled. One of my favorite circuits of the season, a very special country and incredible fans! We will miss you a lot.” – Carlos posted on social media.
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