The 2020 return of Formula 1’s Turkish Grand Prix will go ahead without fans in attendance, the local government has announced.
The November 13-15 weekend – added to the ’20 schedule as a result of a reshuffling caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – will mark the first time the Istanbul Park Circuit will host F1 since 2011.
Organisers had hoped to attract as many as 100,000 fans to the events – although F1 privately considered such a number not feasible – and put up tickets on sale at relatively low cost.
However, the government of Turkey capital Istanbul has now communicated that the event will be completely closed to spectators due to the continued effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In accordance with the recommendation of the Istanbul Province Pandemic Committee, the ‘Formula 1 DHL Turkish Grand Prix 2020’ race will be held without spectators, as per the decision of the Provincial Hygiene Committee, which met on the 5th of October at 10.00,” the Istanbul government wrote.
An statement released by F1 said: “Our season has been guided by a safety-first approach and that will continue to be our priority.
“In Turkey we had hoped to welcome fans but the situation in the country means this is no longer possible and we fully understand and respect the decision.”
F1’s two most recent races had spectators in attendance. Around 3,000 spectators a day were allowed to attend the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello, while Russian Grand Prix attendance at Sochi Autodrom was reported as being around 30,000 total.
The upcoming races at the Nurburgring, Algarve and Imola are all currently set to allow a limited number of fans.
