Turkish F1 Grand Prix canceled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) recently announced that the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix has been canceled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in the country.  

"Following discussions with the promoter in Turkey and relevant stakeholders, it will not be possible to have the race in Turkey between June 1 1 to 13," FIA said.

"The promoter has requested that we look at the potential opportunity for the race to be rescheduled later in the season if possible, alongside China (which) made the same request earlier this year." 

Meanwhile, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “We were all looking forward to racing in Turkey but the travel restrictions in place have meant we are not able to be there in June.

Formula 1 has shown again that it is able to react quickly to developments and find solutions and we are delighted that we will have a double header in Austria meaning our season remains at 23 races."

Because of the cancellation of the Turkish GP, there will now be two races in Austria: the Styrian Grand Prix on June 25 to 27, and the Austrian Grand Prix taking place on its original date on July 2 to 4.

As a result of this change, the French Grand Prix will move one week earlier to June 18 to 20 with all tickets for the event valid for the earlier date, FIA said.  

The racing body added that it will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation with the promoters and teams. It is also delighted to learn that fans are returning to the races, with up to 40 percent capacity in the Monaco GP this May 23. 

"The Formula 1 community will continue to travel this season with stringent safety measures that allowed us to travel safely to 12 countries and deliver 17 races in 2020," FIA said.

The measures have proven to be highly effective with over 78,000 COVID-19 tests conducted last season returning only 78 positive results, a rate of 0.1 percent. So far this season, it had conducted 17,000 tests with 15 positive cases, again a rate of 0.1 percent.

This is alongside the vaccines that a number of teams have already received, and the good rollout of the vaccine in the United Kingdom where seven of the 10 teams are based. "We will continue to operate in a way that protects the safety of our personnel and the communities we visit," FIA assured. 

Photo from Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)

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