As the F1 community prepares for the start of the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship season next month in Europe, the organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix have announced that the event is cancelled. Until today, it was uncertain of the street race would be run but the decision has been taken in view of continuing nationwide restrictions on construction and business activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While there are still more than 3 months to go before the scheduled race on September 20, we regret to announce that we will be unable to proceed with the race due to the prohibitions imposed on access and construction of the event venue required for a street race to be held in the city,” the organisers said, adding that ‘confirmation of the cancellation will also give certainty to our fans, ticket holders, and commercial partners’.
Insufficient time, besides safety concerns
It was explained that the limitations, which continue to remain in place, would make building and construction work of the circuit unable to take place. Normally, such work starts in May each year as the infrastructure for the circuit, especially safety aspects, is a temporary one created specifically for the event which has been run annually since 2008.
Ticket holders will receive automatic refunds within 30 business days but if they prefer, there is also the option of retaining their ticket for the 2020 event.
7 rounds cancelled
To date, 7 rounds of the 2020 championship have been cancelled. They are the Australian GP, Monaco GP, French GP, Netherlands GP, Singapore GP, Azerbaijan GP and Japan GP. There were originally 22 rounds in this year’s calendar.
The championship will have its opening round in Europe on July 5, starting with two weekends in Austria. The organisers will try to have at least 15 – 18 races before the end of the year. However, apart from strict health-related procedures for the participants, the races will also be run without spectators and rely largely on TV and internet broadcasts.
2020 Formula 1 World Championship will finally start in July with first 8 rounds confirmed
