The 2020 Formula One night race in Singapore is reportedly going to be cancelled by organisers, racing publication GPFans reported on June 11, 2020.

This news circulated online comes even before organisers of Singapore's race has made any definitive announcement.

So, pending official confirmation, the last definitive word from the authorities here was that discussions were still being held and the F1 night race could still take place with some conditions attached, but it was difficult to tell what will happen.

Following that, the last major update about the status of Singapore's night race was reported on May 31 by The Straits Times.

In the lengthy report, the possibility of a cancellation was mooted.

ST wrote:

This realistically leaves three options - delay the race; proceed with the original timeline and hope the outbreak would be contained sufficiently to stage the event with spectators in attendance; or, the most plausible scenario, cancel the race.

The other writing on the wall is the lack of Singapore race dates on the revised calendar that has been leaked.

ST also wrote:

While the revised calendar has not been released officially, leaked versions of a provisional calendar show no feasible gaps in the final 11 weeks starting from October to squeeze in a Singapore leg.

Delaying the Singapore Grand Prix till the end of the year also runs the risk of racing in the monsoon season, making conditions difficult and dangerous, particularly on the 23-turn track widely regarded as among the sport's most challenging.

Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing also said at a virtual press conference on May 30, that promoter Singapore GP is in talks with Formula One to see whether the race will go ahead.

As discussions were ongoing then, Chan said the fate of the race will be announced in the coming week.

Not only Singapore

And it is not only Singapore that has been affected.

The GPFans report said Formula 1 is set to officially cancel the Azerbaijan and Japanese Grands Prix as well, but there are a host of replacement options on the table.

These options include rescheduling the races for a later date in the year -- if conditions permit.

But the main reason for the cancellation is due to the obvious logistical and time frame challenges posed by the setting up of a street circuit.

Not enough time

Besides the urgent three-month time span left before the Singapore race, the short duration is further compounded by the ongoing effects being felt by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has made international travel an iffy proposition for fans, teams and performers.

Scheduled to take place over the weekend on Sept. 18 to 20, the Singapore F1 night race days fall right smack in the Phase 2 or 3 of the reopening of Singapore's economy, throwing the viability of the race into doubt.

Race organisers had already stressed in mid-May they were unwilling to hold their event without fans.

The closed-door option will see the lack of ticket sales and attendant events such as concerts.

Without these off-track highlights and international paying visitors, where tourists make up 40 per cent of audiences, the multiplier benefits to the economy and global publicity will not materialise.

Top photo via Singapore Grand Prix Facebook