The first F1 event ever to be held in Việt Nam, was due to take place in April, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo nld.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — The F1 race in Hà Nội scheduled to take place in November has been cancelled, organisers confirmed on Friday.

The original event, set to be the first F1 race to be held in Việt Nam, was due to take place in April, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But now those in charge say a decision has been made to cancel this year’s race.

Two months after the postponement, there were plans to host the race in November.

Formula One Vietnam Grand Prix was under construction from March 20, 2019. The track was built at Mỹ Đình Stadium, with a length of 5,607m with 23 corners.

In February, the racetrack and grandstand at Mỹ Đình were completed and ready for the race.

A total of 13 F1 races were cancelled this year due to the pandemic, while 17 were held, but without any spectators.

In a statement on their website, Formula 1 Viet Nam said: “After numerous discussions among the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Formula One World Championship Ltd, the Ha Noi People’s Committee, and the Vietnamese Motorsports Association (VMA), the Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation (VGPC) regrets to announce that the 2020 Formula 1 Vietnamese Grand Prix will be cancelled. This follows the initial postponement of the event in March this year.

“This has been an extremely difficult but necessary decision to reach in view of the continued uncertainty caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.”

Lê Ngọc Chi, CEO of the Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation added: “We are unable to welcome the most exciting and prestigious motorsport series on the planet to Vietnam in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This was a very difficult decision for all of us to make but ultimately it was the only solution after carefully reviewing all safety criteria as well as the efficiency under current conditions. We thank you for your support and understanding during this uncertain period.”

VGPC will provide a full refund for all tickets purchased for the event.

Customers who purchased tickets directly with VGPC will be contacted via email with further information on the refund process.

Customers who purchased tickets via VGPC’s authorised ticketing agencies should contact such agencies directly for guidance. — VNS