Photo: Japanese F4
Japanese Formula 4 has had to postpone the second round of its 2021 season at Suzuka as the result of a rising number of COVID-19 cases locally.
The series had been set to visit the Formula 1 venue on May 29/30 in support to Super GT, but the installation of stricter lockdown measures in the city of Suzuka this week has led to the circuit removing the event from its current date.
It’s now working on fitting it back into the schedule later in the year to ensure the season still runs to six rounds.
“Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, the safety of everyone involved in holding this race based on the social situation and the medical environment in the region where priority measures such as issuing a state of emergency to neighboring prefectures and preventing the spread to Mie prefecture were applied,” read a circuit statement.
“We have decided to postpone the event, giving top priority to peace of mind. We would like to ask all the fans and related parties who have been looking forward to their understanding.
“We will inform you about the schedule of alternative holdings and the handling of various tickets due to the postponement on the Suzuka Circuit website as soon as it is decided. Please keep your ticket in a safe place until the details are decided.”
The 2020 Japanese F4 season ended up being reduced to four rounds by the global coronavirus pandemic, and with no Japanese Grand Prix it meant there was no opportunity to host non-championship F1 support races either.
This year’s Japanaese GP is being held at Suzuka on October 8-10, and Formula Regional Japanese Championship had initially planned to support the event. It’s unlikely F4 will race alongside F1 even if the Super GT date can’t be rescheduled.