F1 Japanese GP cancelled as COVID cases rise

F1 has confirmed that the Japanese GP has been "cancelled at the request of the government," for the second year in a row, due to ongoing COVID-19 issues. The race was due to take place on Oct. 10, as the third leg of a triple header after Russia and Turkey. A decision on whether or not the race would go ahead was expected this month "after all parties were able to review how the Olympic Games unfolded in Tokyo." No further updates have been given on possible changes to the '21 F1 calendar, which is understood to be "very flexible" at this stage, with various permutations "under consideration" (MOTORSPORT, 8/18). The cancellation leaves the F1 calendar facing a further reshuffle after races in Australia, China, Canada and Singapore were called off this season. The Turkish GP was cancelled but later reinstated (LONDON TIMES, 8/18).