The Suzuka race, which is due to happen in October, will not take place for the second year in a row due to "ongoing complexities" caused by the pandemic.
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In a big shock to motorsport fans, the 2021 Japanese Grand Prix has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Suzuka race, which is due to happen in October, will not take place for the second year in a row due to the “ongoing complexities” caused by the pandemic. Following discussions with F1 and the Suzuka event’s promoter, the country’s government has decided to cancel the event scheduled for October 8-10. Race organisers issued a statement citing “ongoing complexities” as the reason for the race’s cancellation for the second year in a row.
“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 statement from Formula 1 said. “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 in locations to host Formula 1 events this year and beyond.”
The race in Japan was supposed to cap off a three-week triple header that included races in Russia and Turkey. The Turkish Grand Prix had been rescheduled to take the place of the cancelled Singapore Grand Prix. The Japanese Grand Prix was supposed to be the 17th race of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship season.
BREAKING: The 2021 Japanese Grand Prix has been cancelled
速報：2021日本グランプリ中止#JapaneseGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/LtdJtiYY2E
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 18, 2021
Recently, Shigeru Omi, who advises the government on the pandemic, said, “If infections continue to surge at the current pace, we won’t be able to save lives that could otherwise be saved. This is already happening. The situation is like a disaster.”
Eleven of the planned 23 races for 2021 have already occurred. Twelve more were supposed to follow, with the season finale happening in Abu Dhabi on December 12. With the cancellations of Australia and Japan, only ten of the remaining events are confirmed till now.
The F1 season starts next week after its summer break with the Belgian GP. It is the first event of a triple header in Europe, which also includes the returning Dutch GP at Zandvoort and then the Italian GP at Monza. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by eight points from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Unfortunately we won’t get one last home race in Japan ? But we know we’ll be taking your support everywhere we go ❤️?? #PoweredByHonda pic.twitter.com/yCJ6YOmwkB
— Honda Racing F1 (@HondaRacingF1) August 18, 2021
Honda has expressed its disappointment over the cancellation of the Japanese GP. Honda, which currently powers championship contender Red Bull and sister team AlphaTauri, will exit Formula One at the end of the 2021 season.
“At Honda, we are particularly disappointed, because this is the final year of our Formula 1 project and we know that so many fans were looking forward to attending the event,” said Koji Watanabe, Honda’s chief officer for brand and communication operations
“The 2021 season is now heading for an exciting climax and we will be giving our all, fighting hard all the way to achieve our goal of winning the championships as this Honda Formula 1 project comes to an end and we hope our fans will continue to support us.”
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