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Hanoi Formula 1 Race Postponed Due to Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorry, racing fans.

In a move that should surprise no one considering the worsening Covid-19 situation in Vietnam, the organizers of the Vietnam Formula 1 Grand Prix, which had been scheduled for April 3–5, was postponed.

In an official statement from the Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation (VGPC), the organizers said "the decision to postpone comes after extensive consideration of the ongoing developing coronavirus situation as well as after the recent WHO declaration of the outbreak as a global pandemic, and follows guidance from all relevant authorities..."

The statement added: "VGPC will continue to work closely with Formula 1...to monitor the situation and will look to announce an alternative date and provide a further update for our ticket purchasers, sponsors and partners in due course."

The addition of the Hanoi race to F1's calendar was announced in November 2018, with VinFast acting as the main sponsor. A track — partially using roads near My Dinh Stadium in western Hanoi — was rapidly constructed, but will now sit unused for the foreseeable future.

Hanoi's grand prix was supposed to be the third of this year's race season, but the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled, while Bahrain's race was also postponed, leaving gear-heads with no idea when they'll be able to cheer on their favorite drivers again.

At the time of writing, Vietnam has announced 66 Covid-19 cases, most within the last 10 days, including two new cases in Hanoi discovered yesterday.

The pandemic has infected over 197,000 people and killed nearly 8,000 globally, while just over 81,000 people have recovered.

[Photo via Pxhere]

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