Formula 1 have cancelled the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, with an additional Austrian race set to fill the gap.
Following discussions with the promoter in Turkey and relevant stakeholders, it will not be possible to have the race in Turkey on 11 to 13 June. The promoter has requested that F1 look at the potential opportunity for the race to be rescheduled later in the season if possible, alongside China who made the same request earlier this year.
The sport can confirm that there will now be two races in Austria, back to back, with the first race, the Styrian Grand Prix, taking place on 25 to 27 June and the Austrian Grand Prix taking place on its original date on 2 to 4 July.
As a result of this change the French Grand Prix will move one week earlier to 18 to 20 June, with all tickets for the event valid for the earlier date. This means that there continues to be 23 planned races for the 2021 season.
The current COVID-19 situation remains fluid and F1 will continue to monitor the situation with the promoters and teams.
President and CEO of Formula 1 Stefano Domenicali said: “We were all looking forward to racing in Turkey but the travel restrictions in place have meant we are not able to be there in June. Formula 1 has shown again that it is able to react quickly to developments and find solutions and we are delighted that we will have a double header in Austria meaning our season remains at 23 races.
“I want to thank the promoter and authorities in Turkey for all of their efforts in recent weeks and want to thank the promoters in France and Austria for their speed, flexibility and enthusiasm in accommodating this solution. We have had very good conversations will all the other promoters since the start of the year and continue to work closely with them during this period.”
Your updated F1 calendar, now with two races in Austria and a slightly earlier race in France ?️#F1 pic.twitter.com/KmFYDnCL4b
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 14, 2021