Jul.29 (GMM) Fears about the viability of October’s Japanese GP have proved to be well founded.
On Monday, following weeks of speculation, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admitted: “I won’t hide that the situation in Japan is under observation.”
He is referring, of course, to Formula 1’s ongoing covid-related calendar crisis, and the fact that Japan is only currently hosting the Olympic Games amid grave fears about the pandemic and tight social restrictions.
Indeed, Honda-owned Japanese GP host Suzuka and the Mobilityland organisation have now admitted that ticket sales for the October 8-10 F1 event have been postponed for now.
“Regarding the pre and general sales schedule for the end of July, we are postponing based on the current social situation until we have more reliable information,” Japanese media quote a spokesperson as saying.
There is better news from Spa-Francorchamps, however, where Belgian GP organisers say they are “quite positive” about welcoming spectators to the late August race.
“We can organise our event with stands and general admission,” revealed circuit director Stijn de Boever, with reports clarifying that spectators will need to be vaccinated or have had a recent covid test.
“In total, we are allowed to admit 75,000 spectators per day,” he told the Dutch source Grand Prix Radio.
May 18 (GMM) Alpine can thrive even without its two current race drivers, team boss…
May 18 (GMM) Adrian Newey is inching "closer and closer" to a sensational move to…
May 18 (GMM) Ferrari has become a "serious opponent" for the dominant Red Bull team,…
May 18 (GMM) Oliver Bearman appears to be marching towards a full-time Haas race seat…
May 17 (GMM) Fernando Alonso insists he's not alone in his criticism about the way…
May 17 (GMM) Formula 1's driver market silly-season has now becoming a "waiting game". Those…