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London, June 12 (IANS): The 2020 Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japanese Formula 1 Grands Prix have now been cancelled in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The three races were part of the revised calendar for the 2020 season that Formula 1 had announced earlier this month.
"These decisions have been taken due to the different challenges our promoters face in those countries. In Singapore and Azerbaijan the long lead times required to construct street circuits made hosting the events during a period of uncertainty impossible and in Japan, ongoing travel restrictions also led to the decision not to proceed with the race," said a statement from F1.
"At the same time we have made significant progress with existing and new promoters on the revised calendar and have been particularly encouraged by the interest that has been shown by new venues in hosting a Formula 1 race during the 2020 season."
F1's motorsports chief Ross Brawn said that it may consider extending it's European calendar. "Things are moving fast, but we still have time," he said. "We have lots of different options and we're very confident we're going to have a great second half of the season.
"There is a contingency to have an extended European season with another one or two races if needed. I think Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will be the backstop of the season from what we can see at the moment. That gives us 10. We'll find at least five or six good races in the middle."