In the “not good news” category, the Japanese Grand Prix has been canceled. It was slated to take place in October but like last year, the organizers announced that they would cancel the race again this year. F1 said:
“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 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.”
One wonders how they managed to host the Olympics, albeit with no spectators, but aren’t able to do something similar? Perhaps the race organizers weren’t keen on a no-fans race? I am also curious how F1 is made whole on this kind of cancelation? I presume they have clauses in the contract but would also assume that the organizers have a “force Majeuer” portion in their contract too.
I would presume that circuits like COTA in Austin and even Silverstone might start to fill the gaps in the calendar.
Spoke with a friend in Japan. They are just going in for their FIRST dose on Aug 28th. She says she’s lucky to be in a small rural community because big cities are getting theirs much later.