Dutch GP's F1 return postponed until 2021

The Dutch Grand Prix's planned return to the Formula 1 calendar has officially been cancelled for 2020, with the event now postponed until 2021. 

Cancellation until next season was expected for the race which had already been postponed from its original date of May 3 this year, after it was not included on F1's plans for its revised calendar. 

Dutch Grand Prix promoters admitted last month that a race this year was highly unlikely given the strict ban on major public events being held in the Netherlands until September. 

The revamped Zandvoort circuit had been set to stage the first Dutch Grand Prix in 35 years. 

A statement from the race organisers said: “Due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix has, as previously announced, been postponed.

“The organization of the Dutch Grand Prix, in consultation with Formula One Management, has had to conclude that it is no longer possible to hold a race with an audience this year.

“Therefore, it has been decided to postpone the race definitively to 2021. Together with the FIA, Formula One Management will determine the schedule for 2021, and with that the new date of the Dutch Grand Prix. Like every year the date will be announced by the FIA by the end of 2020." 

Dutch Grand Prix organisers confirmed that all tickets will be valid for the new 2021 race, with a revised date set to be announced by the end of the year. 

The Dutch Grand Prix is now the fourth race to be formally cancelled in 2020, along with the French, Monaco and Canadian rounds. 

“We were completely ready for this first race and we still are," said Dutch GP sporting director Jan Lammers.

"An unbelievable achievement has been made thanks to all the fans, the companies and the governments involved. We and Formula 1 have investigated the potential to hold a rescheduled race this year without spectators, but we would like to celebrate this moment, the return of Formula 1 in Zandvoort, together with our racing fans in the Netherlands.

"We ask everyone to be patient. I had to look forward to it for 35 years, so I can wait another year”.