This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
On May 18, 2020, the Singapore F1 organisers announced that it was not feasible to hold the race behind closed doors, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision comes as Formula One bosses aim to begin the season with two races in Austria in July, both without fans. However, the Singapore Grand Prix, scheduled for September, poses a significant challenge due to its nighttime street race format.
Organisers have been in talks with Formula One, the Singapore government, and other stakeholders to assess different possibilities for holding the race. However, a spokesperson stated that 'as the Singapore F1 race is a street circuit, it is not feasible to conduct the race behind closed doors.'
The Singapore Grand Prix typically attracts a large crowd, with 268,000 spectators attending the event last year. The race requires considerable temporary infrastructure, which takes three months to set up.
As Singapore battles a virus outbreak, the country has ordered the closure of most businesses, advised people to stay at home, and banned large gatherings. The tiny Southeast Asian country has reported over 28,000 infections, with most cases among foreign workers living in crowded dormitories.
Officials may start relaxing some of the curbs from early June, but the future of the Singapore F1 remains uncertain.
