The long-awaited Formula One (F1) race in Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi, due to take place on April 3-5, has been postponed due to the “continued global spread of Covid-19.”

The circuit recently completed in Hanoi. Screenshot from clip on formula1.com

The decision is made by all parties after discussions with the FIA, the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Government of Vietnam, the Automobile Association of Vietnam and the promoter, Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation (VGPC), F1 said on its website.  

The Bahrain Grand Prix, set for March 20-22, has also suffered the same fate.

The decisions are made “in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern,” F1 said in the statement.

The news follows the cancellation of this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, and the previous postponement of the Chinese Grand Prix, which was due to be held April 17-19.

“Formula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with the race promoters in Bahrain and Vietnam and the local health authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve,” added the announcement.

F1 also stated that the 2020 championship is expected to begin in Europe at the end of May, but this will be regularly reviewed.

“The global situation regarding COVID-19 is fluid and very difficult to predict and it's right we take time to assess the situation and make the right decisions…We are also looking forward to Vietnam’s inaugural race and bringing the spectacle of F1 to one of the most exciting cities in the world,” said Formula 1 Chairman and CEO Chase Carey.

McLaren on March 12 confirmed they were withdrawing from the Australian Grand Prix after a member of the team tested positive for the coronavirus.

After more than three weeks without new coronavirus infection detected, Vietnam confirmed the 17th case on March 6, also the first case in Hanoi. At the end of March 13, the toll of infection cases hit 7 in Hanoi and 47 in Vietnam.