Formula One season on the brink of COLLAPSE as Singapore GP is cancelled and Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Australia all face Covid nightmares to leave Lewis Hamilton and Co sweating
- The Singapore Grand Prix set for October 3 has been cancelled due to Covid-19
- Singaporean authorities chalked off the race due to travel restrictions
- Races in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Australia are also in jeopardy due to the virus
- Discussions are in place for rounds in Turkey, China and another Austin meet
The Singapore Grand Prix has been cancelled, as Formula One bosses work frantically to stop their planned 23-race programme from shattering.
Races in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Australia are also in jeopardy for various Covid-related reasons.
Australia’s strict quarantine rules mean that there is not enough time for them to get into the country after the preceding Brazilian GP – but experts have suggested they go through a ’boutique quarantine’ partly in the UK.
Formula One are working on contingencies including potential rounds in Turkey, China and a second race in Austin, Texas – though these are hardly fail-safe options.
Brazil. Turkey and China are on the UK government’s red list meaning teams and drivers would have to quarantine for two weeks on return to England where many teams are based.
The Singapore Grand Prix has been cancelled due to coronavirus-related reasons
This year’s F1 season is in doubt as races in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Australia are in jeopardy
Singaporean authorities pulled their race, scheduled for October 3, because of travel restrictions stopping people entering their country.
An F1 spokesman said: ‘We continue to work with all promoters during this fluid time and have plenty of options to adapt if needed.’
Another possible roadblock is the Government’s increasingly tough line on travel – prompting the awkward question of how it is morally justifiable to permit the transportation in and out of Britain of 1,000-plus F1 personnel every week or so.
‘That (strict border controls) is the reason for the exemption for us and other industries,’ said an F1 spokesman.
Singaporean authorities cancelled the October 3 race due to coronavirus travel restrictions
F1 organisers are discussing possible races in Turkey, China and a second meet in Austin
Japanese authorities are not committing to the October 10 meet going ahead until a full assessment of the country’s coronavirus status is made after the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.
Meanwhile, Brazil and Mexico remain determined to hold on to their races despite having some of the worst coronavirus case rates in the world.
Should either country be put on the UK’s ‘red list’, then it would plunge the schedule into even more doubt given most of the F1 teams are based in Great Britain. At present, anyone travelling to ‘red list’ countries, including sporting personnel, must self-isolate in a hotel for 10 days after returning to the UK.
Australia’s plans for their November 21 race in Melbourne currently allow only fully-vaccinated personnel being allowed to travel to and participate in the autumn meet.
Furthermore, any positive case found once the Melbourne meet begins is likely to result in not only the immediate cancellation of the Grand Prix but also a city-wide lockdown.