Due to the increase in Covid-19 cases, the Formula 1 GP of Japan will be canceled for a second year

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The Formula 1 Grand Prix of Japan was canceled for the second time in a row due to “ongoing complexities” in connection with the Covid 19 pandemic. Originally planned for mid-October 2021, the race was the final event in a planned triple header that included the Russian and Turkish GP.

Today, August 18th, F1 announced that the race wouldn’t take place.

The statement said: “Following ongoing discussions with the organizer and authorities in Japan, the Japanese government has decided to cancel the race this season due to the ongoing complexity of the pandemic in the country. F1 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 2020 that we can adapt to the ongoing uncertainties and find solutions and is excited about the great interest in places where Formula 1 events take place this year and beyond . “

Reset calendar

The Japanese GP has been a mainstay on the F1 calendar for decades. The race, which takes place on the Suzuka circuit, offers all the thrill and excitement one expects from an F1 race, whereby it was often a championship decision between the title protagonists of a season. The Japanese GP would have been the 17th round of the 23-race calendar in 2021, but F1 and its governing body, the FIA, will try to readjust the calendar.

F1 is currently on a mandatory summer break and will be back in the race for the Belgian GP from August 27th to 29th. In 2021, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-AMG) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) emerged as the two drivers battling for the season’s honor. Their rivalry has grown to heights in recent races, with Verstappen performing worse in a number of events. At the British GP, the Red Bull driver spun out of the race after coming into contact with Hamilton’s F1 car. And at the Hungarian GP, ​​Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas caused a number of accidents that affected Verstappen’s race.

Verstappen is eight points behind Hamilton Hamilton in the championship standings.