2020 F1 races in Japan, Brazil, others in doubt (Update)

Japan latest victim of pandemic

UPDATE The Japanese, Singapore and Azerbaijan grands prix will not take place this year, Formula One has announced. Word is that likely Mexico, Austin, Brazil and Vietnam will follow.

04/30/20 (GMM) Even the 2020 Japanese GP is now in doubt.

Earlier, there were hopes October's Suzuka race could be safe, given Japan's handling of the pandemic. Indeed, mere weeks ago, motorsport testing was still taking place in the country.

But organizers of the Japanese GP have just announced that ticket sales for the October 11 race have now been "postponed".

The Suzuka circuit was closed on April 10, and was not set to reopen until May 10.

Race organizers clarified: "The definite reopening date will be announced later."

Brazil is another country with a late race date on the original 2020 calendar. President Jair Bolsonaro has said some of the shutdowns across the globe are due to "hysteria".

The country's automobile confederation, the CBA, has granted each state and local federation the power to decide whether racing can take place in 2020.

"The resumption of work should strictly follow the provisions of state and municipal authorities, as well as instructions from the ministry of health," said Confederacao Brasileira de Automobilismo president Waldner Bernnardo de Oliviera.