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It's official: The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2020 night race has been cancelled.

Race promoter Singapore GP and Formula 1 announced separately on June 12, 2020 the cancellation of the 13th edition of the night race scheduled to take place over the Sept. 18 to 20 weekend.

The main reason cited is that there is not enough time to put up the track due to continuing nationwide restrictions on construction and business activities brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The lack of international travellers and Covid-19 prevention measures acting as dampeners were also cited.

News of the cancellation leaked online one day before the official announcement.

The race would have fallen right smack in the Phase 2 or 3 of the reopening of Singapore's economy, throwing the viability of the race into doubt.

Construction of track hindered

Singapore GP, the local F1 race promoter, said in its statement the race could not proceed due to the prohibitions imposed on access and construction of the event venue required for a street race to be held in the city.

Singapore GP said the building and construction work of the circuit, which normally commences in May, have not been able to commence.

Singapore GP said: "We are therefore unable to complete the race circuit infrastructure in time for the race to take place."

Not mentioned was the issue of access to foreign workers in Singapore, many of whom are still held in isolation facilities and prevented from working.

Formula 1 issued a separate statement citing how it is "impossible" to construct street circuits in a short time.

Besides Singapore, races in Azerbaijan and Japan are also cancelled.

Formula 1 said: "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."

The confirmation of the cancellation will also give certainty to the fans, ticket holders, and commercial partners, Singapore GP added.

Other challenges cited include ongoing mass gathering and worldwide travel restrictions, and many other regulations put in place to ensure public health.

Ong Ling Lee, Director, Sports, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) supports the joint decision by race promoter Singapore GP Pte Ltd and Formula 1 to cancel the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2020, as this safeguards the health and wellbeing of participants, fans and all Singaporeans."

"We take pride in our track record of hosting the first and only F1 night street race for the past 12 years, and we look forward to its return next year.”

Refunds

Singapore GP will provide existing ticket holders with automatic refunds within 30 business days, or if preferred, an option to rollover their ticket to next year’s event.

Ticket holders will be contacted with more information on the next steps.

Ticket holders who purchased via SGP’s Authorised Ticketing Partners should contact them for refunds.

Top photo via Singapore Grand Prix Facebook