Singapore organisers confirm their race will not take place on October 1-3 amid Covid-19 restrictions; Turkey, China and second race in USA believed to be among alternative options for Formula 1
Friday 4 June 2021 18:15, UK
The Singapore Grand Prix will not take place for the second successive year, race organisers have confirmed.
As previously reported, the October 1-3 event has been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
In a statement, Colin Syn, the deputy chairman of the Singapore GP, said: "To cancel the event for a second year is an incredibly difficult decision, but a necessary one in light of the prevailing restrictions for live events in Singapore.
"Since its debut, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix has attracted fans from over 100 countries and established itself as more than just a race with a robust circuit-wide concert and entertainment line-up. Given the evolving and unpredictable pandemic situation around the world, it has become increasingly challenging to stage a complex multi-faceted event for tens of thousands of local and overseas spectators.
"We would not be able to deliver a full event experience fans have come to expect over the years, while safeguarding the health and safety of our fans, contractors, volunteers and staff. Ultimately, we have to be responsible, cautious and prudent as safety is our number one concern."
An F1 spokesperson said: "We continue to work with all promoters during this fluid time and have plenty of options to adapt if needed.
F1 are believed to have multiple options to replace the street event, including Turkey, China and a second race in the USA.
China was postponed from its original slot of April, while a race in Turkey was briefly added to replace Canada for this month before the Istanbul Park event was itself pulled from the schedule after it was placed on the Government's red list.
A second race at Austin's Circuit of the Americas is also a possibility. The US GP takes place there on October 24.
There are strict Covid-19 entry rules in Singapore, the city-state in which F1 had staged a night race to spectacular effect since 2008 before the pandemic.
The sport continues to plan for a record 23-race schedule this year, with this weekend's event in Azerbaijan the sixth event of the season so far.
Speaking to Sky Sports News in Baku, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: "Singapore is a great track, it's a great event, but we have to be flexible, we know that. If it is officially cancelled, then as with Turkey and Montreal, there's lots of options open to Formula 1.
"Stefano [Domenicali, F1's president] and his team, they'll be aware of that and they'll have other options. Everybody is desperate to have Formula 1 in their country, so we'll just have to wait and see."
