F1: Singapore GP Dropped Due To COVID-19 Restrictions

The FIA has announced that the Singapore Grand Prix has been dropped from the Formula 1 calendar for this year. The decision was made in light of the rising Covid and travel restrictions imposed by the local government. The organisers are now looking at alternative options as a replacement. The Singapore GP is the only night race on the F1 calendar and was originally scheduled to take place between October 1-3 this year, on the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

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Singapore is presently under Phase 2 lockdown (heightened alert) in a bid to restrict the spread of the virus. According to the Ministry of Health, Singapore, the city had 18 new cases taking the total active cases to 563. The authorities were of the opinion that continuing with the race that witnesses thousands of spectators from the world over would've been too much of a risk.

The organisers are yet to announce a replacement for the Singapore GP on the calendar

Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the Singapore GP, said, "We understand that our fans were looking forward to another edition of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. 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. 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."

This will be the second consecutive year when the Singapore GP has been cancelled due to the pandemic. With respect to the replacement, there's no official announcement yet on which circuits will be called upon but it's believed that Turkey and China could be in contention, and a second race in the United States is also a possibility. Do note that both Turkey and China were dropped off the calendar earlier this year due to Covid concerns.

Both countries also fit geographically with Russia and Japan, which are hosting races on September 26 and October 10, respectively. While F1 is committed to a full season going ahead with races as planned, the travel restrictions across different countries may see more circuit shuffles in the coming months.