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Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix is set to be cancelled for a second consecutive year, with a double-header at Austin among the alternatives to bolster the calendar.
The BBC revealed on Friday that F1 and Singaporean authorities have agreed the October 3 race cannot be held due to immigration restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two hours later, a statement from the Singapore GP officially confirmed the news.
“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.” said Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the organising group.
“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.”
The majority of non-European races in the final leg of the season have unknown fates amid the pandemic.
“We continue to work with all promoters during this fluid time and have plenty of options to adapt if needed,” said an F1 spokesperson.
Those options are understood to include an offer from the Circuit of the Americas to host a double-header.
The United States Grand Prix is due to be held on October 24. A second race could be scheduled for the week before, if that’s compatible with the Japanese Grand Prix on October 10 or more likely if the Suzuka race is cancelled or moved forward to take Singapore’s slot.
Alternatively, a second Austin race could be held a week after the US GP, given Mexico – currently scheduled for that slot – is among the races that may still be vulnerable during the pandemic.
An Austin double-header would give F1 owner Liberty Media an extra race in the US and is likely to be a popular solution given the efforts to increase F1’s footprint in the States.
There are other options including reinstating either the Chinese or Turkish Grands Prix.
China’s race never made it onto the 2021 calendar as Shanghai could not host F1 in its usual April slot.
Turkey was added to the schedule in place of Canada in June but then lost that substitute slot due to travel restrictions.
