Hanoi F1 racing tournament to resume later this year

After a delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Formula 1 Grand Prix is ​​likely to be re-organized in November 2020. This information was mentioned on the afternoon of July 6 in Hanoi, Mr. Nguyen Duc Chung - Chairman of the City People's Committee - said that the focus will be on programs to stimulate domestic consumption.

To do this, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports must develop a plan to organize cultural events to attract domestic and foreign tourists, increase revenue for the tourism industry in particular and other related consumer industries in general. Some of the events currently being planned include: Celebrating 1010 years of Thang Long, Celebrating the Capital Liberation Day... and the F1 Formula Racing.

This event was supposed to be held last April, however, due to the outbreak and complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic along with border blockades and social distancing regulations, Hanoi had to postpone it indefinitely. Up to now, the epidemic has been well controlled, Hanoi is considering continuing to organize this F1 tournament. When conditions are met to ensure epidemic safety, the tournament can take place at the end of November 2020.

“The city is carefully evaluating and negotiating with the copyright holder to continue organizing the Formula 1 (F1) race at the end of November 2020, while continuing to prepare programs and projects to serve the 31st SEA Games and 11th Para Games,” said Mr. Nguyen Duc Chung.

It is known that Hanoi has received registrations from 100,000 international tourists to Vietnam to watch the F1 race. It is expected that on the day of the event, there will be at least 40,000 domestic spectators coming to Hanoi to watch the event live.

At the meeting, Mr. Chung affirmed that the Covid-19 epidemic always needs attention to protect the health of the capital's people, but at the same time, there also needs to be many other plans to restore and develop the economy.

Reuters on June 3 quoted F1 Group CEO Chase Carey, saying that this year's tournament may be postponed but no races will be canceled. When a racer is infected with the Covid-19 virus, the racing team will use a replacement racer.

The 2020 F1 season has a total of 22 races, but due to the pandemic, the season had to postpone 5 races in: Bahrain, Vietnam, the Netherlands, China and Spain. The tournament organizers have rearranged the schedule, the race in Austria started on July 6. Next, the race will be held in Hungary (July 19), England (August 2 and 9), Spain (August 16), Belgium (August 30) and Italy (September 6).

F1 organizers said that from September to November, the previously postponed races will be rescheduled, including Europe - Asia (race in Russia), Asia (Vietnam and China) and Americas (Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil). The season is expected to end after 2 races in Bahrain and UAE in December.

My Tong