F1 faces calendar reshuffle as Japanese GP cancelled for second year running

Race organisers had initially been hopeful of being able to stage the October 10 event, especially after the Olympic and Paralympic Games were able to go ahead in Tokyo, but ongoing COVID-19 complexities in Japan have ultimately forced the government to cancel the race.

It marks the second successive year that the Japanese GP has been cancelled due to the pandemic, with Suzuka last hosting F1 in 2019.

The cancellation of the race means Honda will not have a farewell home race before the Japanese engine manufacturer pulls out of the sport at the end of the season.

F1 says it is now working on details of the revised calendar, which it will announce in the “coming weeks”.

“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,” an F1 statement read.

“Formula 1 is now working on the details of the revised calendar and will announce the final details in the coming weeks.

“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.”

F1 faces a headache in its bid to stage 23 races as planned this year but remains flexible in its approach to ensure its target can be hit.

There are growing doubts over rounds in Turkey, Mexico and Brazil, with all three countries currently on the UK red list, meaning anyone returning must quarantine for 10 days in a government-approved hotel.

A second race in Bahrain and a first-ever grand prix in Qatar have been mooted as possible alternatives, while there have been suggestions that the Circuit of the Americas could host two races if Japan was called off.