MotoGP cancellation casts doubt over F1 Japanese Grand Prix

The Japanese MotoGP round has been cancelled, casting fresh doubt of the Formula 1 race due to be held at Suzuka on October 11.

MotoGP was due to race at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit on October 18, but this race has now been cancelled due to concerns the travel ban that currently exists between Europe and Japan could be extended.

“Mobilityland has been preparing for this year’s MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix, however the situations in Japan and Europe are unpredictable and the extension of the international travel ban is expected," said Kaoru Tanaka, president of the Mobilityland Corporation.

"As a result of our discussions with Dorna, the managerial body of the series, we agreed that we have no choice but to cancel the Japanese GP in order to complete the season.”

Should the ban be extended, it would make it very unlikely that Formula 1 would be able to put in place plans to race at Suzuka in 2020.

However, championship promoter Dorna Sports told a different story, suggesting that a joint decision had been reached with the FIM to only race in Europe until 'mid-November'. After this point, it would not be feasible to race in Japan.

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