Singapore’s F1 Night Race Cancelled For Second Year In A Row

The Singapore Formula One Grand Prix has been cancelled for the second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, race organisers said in a statement on Friday.

International news agencies had earlier reported that the night race at the Marina Bay circuit was off due to travel restrictions.

“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 Singapore GP Pte Ltd.

“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.”

The night race, which includes concerts and other off-track entertainment, is a major fixture in the city-state’s sporting and entertainment calendar, attracting throngs of visitors from around the world. Tickets for this year’s race had yet to go on sale.

The F1 calendar is looking choppy as the pandemic and travel restrictions continue to wreck havoc across the globe. For example, the Melbourne GP has been rescheduled to November, however travel to Australia is still heavily restricted.

A Formula One spokesman said the sport had alternatives to fill the gap.

“We continue to work with all promoters during this fluid time and have plenty of options to adapt if needed,” he said.

Turkey, which had been due to replace Canada but was then also scrapped, would be a possible host with talk rife that Shanghai might return to the fold and a second potential race in the United States.