However, Turkey is still on the UK government’s red list. Returning F1 personnel would have to isolate for ten days in Britain. The most obvious location to hold a replacement race is COTA, for an extra American event on October 17. However, UK isolation would end on October 13, giving teams just four days before the race itself – unless they went straight to the US after Turkey.
“Following ongoing discussions with the promoter and authorities in Japan the decision has been taken by the Japanese government to cancel the race this season due to ongoing complexities of the pandemic in the country,” a statement from Formula 1 read.
“Formula 1 is now working on the details of the revised calendar and will announce the final details in the coming weeks.
“Formula 1 has proven this year, and in 2020, that we can adapt and find solutions to the ongoing uncertainties and is excited by the level of interest in locations to host Formula 1 events this year and beyond.”