The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix (GP) has been cancelled after a discussion between the government and race promoters, Formula One organizers announced on Wednesday.
The race was scheduled to be held in Suzuka on October 10, between the F1 events in Turkey and the United States.
“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. Formula 1 is now working on the details of the revised calendar and will announce the final details in the coming weeks,” F1 said in a statement.
“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,” the statement added.
Earlier this year, the Australian and Chinese GPs had been too, cancelled.
Of the total 23 races planned this season, the 11th race was held last weekend when French driver Esteban Ocon won the Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of Britain’s Lewis Hamilton.
As per reports, new Covid-19 infections has tripled in Tokyo during the 17 days of the just concluded Tokyo Olympics, which finished on August 8.
Health and medical experts however, denied any possibility of the spike due to the showpiece event.
Notably, it will be the second consecutive season when the F1 race in Japan has been cancelled.
Japan’s MotoGP, which was also scheduled to take place in October, was earlier scrapped in June.