Misbah Ali

With the daily rising number of infections in Japan, the lockdown in the country has been extended following which Japanese Grand Prix race organisers decided to cancel Formula One citing “ongoing complexities” related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Following ongoing discussions with the promoter and authorities in Japan the decision has been taken by the Japanese government to cancel the race this season due to ongoing complexities of the pandemic in the country,” Formula One said in a statement.

The race, which was also cancelled last year because of the pandemic situation, was due to be held in mid-October, the third event in a planned triple-header after the Russian Grand Prix and the rescheduled Turkish GP.

But on August 18, 2021 it was announced that the race at the Suzuka circuit would not be going ahead.

“Formula 1 is now working on the details of the revised calendar and will announce the final details in the coming weeks. Formula 1 has proven this year, and in 2020, that we can adapt and find solutions to the ongoing uncertainties and is excited by the level of interest in locations to host Formula 1 events this year and beyond,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Japan’s news agency Kyodo reported that the Japanese prefecture Osaka is set to report a record number of new COVID infections at around 2,300 on August 18, 2021.

On August 17, 2021 Japan extended its state of emergency in Tokyo and other regions and announced new measures covering seven more prefectures to counter a surge in COVID infections that are threatening the medical system.

Japan’s tally of new COVID-19 infections on August 17, 2021 was 19,955 while the capital city of Tokyo witnessed 4,377 cases and eight related fatalities.