Singapore cancels Formula One race for a second time
Singapore followed Vietnam and called off its hosting of the Formula One Grand Prix race planned for October amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The event was cancelled due to “ongoing safety and logistic concerns” brought about by the pandemic, the race organiser said.
The cancellation for a second year followed a wave of new infections in recent weeks that also forced the city-state to scrap high-profile events such as the World Economic Forum and the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense summit.
The current situation still would not allow for mass events or a big tourism boost that would accompany such gatherings, race operator Singapore GP said in a statement on June 4.
“Incredibly difficult decision”
“We understand that our fans were looking forward to another edition of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix. To cancel the event for a second year was an incredibly difficult decision, but a necessary one in light of the prevailing restrictions for live events in Singapore,” Colin Syn, deputy chairman of Singapore GP, said.
Tickets for this year’s race had not been released for sale, pending the decision on the event’s feasibility. Ticket holders who deferred their 2020 tickets to the 2021 race would be fully refunded, Singapore GP clarified.
The Singapore leg would have been the 16th Grand Prix race of 23 in this season. The sixth race takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 6, while the next one will be staged on June 20 in France, where visitors from nations deemed low-risk will be accepted with proof of vaccination. After that, the Formula One goes to the UK, Italy and Russia in the coming weeks and months.
Thoughts about the future of the race in Singapore
In Singapore, government officials have emphasised that any easing of restrictions would be done in a “controlled manner.”
“Given the unpredictable Covid-19 situation around the world, this decision prioritises the health and safety of all participants, fans and the public,” Ong Ling Lee, director for sports at the Singapore Tourism Board, said in a statement on June 4.
“We are working closely with Singapore GP, Formula One and government agencies to determine the future of the race,” he added.
Singapore's night race used to be one of the most iconic races of the Formula One season Singapore followed Vietnam and called off its hosting of the Formula One Grand Prix race planned for October amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The event was cancelled due to “ongoing safety and logistic concerns” brought about by the pandemic, the race organiser said. The cancellation for a second year followed a wave of new infections in recent weeks that also forced the city-state to scrap high-profile events such as the World Economic Forum and the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defense summit. The current situation...
Singapore followed Vietnam and called off its hosting of the Formula One Grand Prix race planned for October amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The event was cancelled due to “ongoing safety and logistic concerns” brought about by the pandemic, the race organiser said.
The cancellation for a second year followed a wave of new infections in recent weeks that also forced the city-state to scrap high-profile events such as the World Economic Forum and the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense summit.
The current situation still would not allow for mass events or a big tourism boost that would accompany such gatherings, race operator Singapore GP said in a statement on June 4.
“Incredibly difficult decision”
“We understand that our fans were looking forward to another edition of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix. To cancel the event for a second year was an incredibly difficult decision, but a necessary one in light of the prevailing restrictions for live events in Singapore,” Colin Syn, deputy chairman of Singapore GP, said.
Tickets for this year’s race had not been released for sale, pending the decision on the event’s feasibility. Ticket holders who deferred their 2020 tickets to the 2021 race would be fully refunded, Singapore GP clarified.
The Singapore leg would have been the 16th Grand Prix race of 23 in this season. The sixth race takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 6, while the next one will be staged on June 20 in France, where visitors from nations deemed low-risk will be accepted with proof of vaccination. After that, the Formula One goes to the UK, Italy and Russia in the coming weeks and months.
Thoughts about the future of the race in Singapore
In Singapore, government officials have emphasised that any easing of restrictions would be done in a “controlled manner.”
“Given the unpredictable Covid-19 situation around the world, this decision prioritises the health and safety of all participants, fans and the public,” Ong Ling Lee, director for sports at the Singapore Tourism Board, said in a statement on June 4.
“We are working closely with Singapore GP, Formula One and government agencies to determine the future of the race,” he added.
