Published on Sunday, June 14, 2020

Singapore F1 race cancelled

It's official - there will be no chequered flag for the 2020 Singapore F1 race.

F1 and race promoters Singapore GP conceded current local and international restrictions have made a safe event impossible.

"The last few months have been extremely challenging on all fronts, and we have now made this difficult decision which Formula One and our stakeholders accept we have had to take," said Singapore GP deputy chairman Colin Syn.

"Ultimately, the health and safety of our contractors, spectators, Formula One crew, staff and volunteer marshals is our number one priority."

Singapore's largest event in the sporting calendar was due to take place on September 20.

As it is a night time road race, preparations begin several months before but this hasn't happened due to the uncertainty over handling fans safely.

Organizers had said from the outset it wouldn't hold a closed-door race.

Ticket holders will be refunded or they can roll over the validity of their tickets to next year's race.

F1 also announced planned races in Japan and Azerbaijan are cancelled which brings to seven the number of axed races, which includes the Australian and Monaco GPs.

Races in China and Vietnam originally planned for April were cancelled but mat now go ahead in October and November respectively.

"We take pride in our track record of hosting the first and only F1 night street race for the past 12 years, and we look forward to its return next year," said Singapore Tourism Board's director of sports Ong Ling Lee.