Japanese Grand Prix cancelled for second year over virus

London - The decision follows Grand Prix cancellations this season in Australia, China, Canada and Singapore

The Japanese Grand Prix has been cancelled for a second year over virus "complexities", Formula 1 said Wednesday.

The race was due to take place at Suzuka on October 10, but F1 said the Japanese government had pulled the plug due to the country's pandemic situation.

Japan is currently battling record coronavirus infections, with Tokyo and other regions under a state of emergency.

"The decision has been taken by the Japanese government to cancel the race this season due to ongoing complexities of the pandemic in the country," F1 said in a statement.

The decision follows Grand Prix cancellations this season in Australia, China, Canada and Singapore.

F1 said it had yet to decide how to fill the gap.

"Formula 1 is now working on the details of the revised calendar and will announce the final details in the coming weeks," the statement said.

"Formula 1 has proven this year, and in 2020, that we can adapt and find solutions to the ongoing uncertainties and is excited by the level of interest in locations to host Formula 1 events this year and beyond."

Japan's MotoGP, which was also scheduled to take place in October, was scrapped in June.