It’s the news that all F1 fans have been dreading; it appears another race has been cancelled on the 2021 calendar. According to Radio Canada, the Canadian Grand Prix, scheduled for June 13 will not be taking place. As expected, it has been deemed that the risk of spreading COVID-19 when hosting the event is too high.
We know that street circuits are at risk due to COVID-19, with countries like Australia moving their event from the start of the calendar to November to try and help ease the stress of hosting a global sporting event in the middle of Melbourne.
Radio Canada understands that Quebec Public Health had given the race weekend the green light if F1 held it behind closed doors. However, several rules had to be followed to ensure the risk of spreading the virus was kept to a minimum.
Despite these restrictions and rules, Montreal Public Health has said that gathering 2,500 individuals to the circuit would be too much of a risk.
This will be the second year in a row when F1 hasn’t been able to visit the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Inevitably with this new statement, questions will be asked about Canada’s future on the calendar and if it can survive as an event.
Although the circuit is contracted to be on the calendar until 2029, there could be some significant complications down the line if the event continues to be cancelled.
It should be noted, there is currently no statement from F1 on the future of the 2021 Canadian Grand Prix.
Updated: Speaking to The Race, an F1 representative said, “we are continuing our discussions with the promoter in Canada and have no further comment.”
It’s a huge shame, especially for all the Canadian fans who had tickets for both the 2020 and 2021 event. Hopefully, we can get back soon 🤞
