FORMULE ONE races in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan were cancelled yesterday because of issues arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

The sport’s governing body said that it still hoped to deliver up to 18 races in the rearranged 2020 season, with the first eight already confirmed starting with a double-header in Austria in early July.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was due to be rescheduled after the postponement of its original race date on June 7, while the Singapore Grand Prix was scheduled for September 20.

Both use street circuits and the FIA said the long lead times required to construct them “made hosting the events during a period of uncertainty impossible.”

The Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled for October 11, was cancelled because of ongoing travel restrictions during the pandemic.

“We are confident in our plans to have between 15-18 races by the time our season concludes in Abu Dhabi in mid-December,” the FIA said, adding that it expects to publish the finalised calendar before the season-opening race in Austria on July 5.

The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg also will host a race on July 12. The next race will be in Hungary on July 19, followed by consecutive races at the British GP in Silverstone on August 2 and 9 after the British government exempted elite sports from its current quarantine on foreign visitors.

Further races are scheduled for Spain on August 16 and Belgium on August 30, with Italy completing the European swing on September 6.

F1 had then been hoping to shift to Asia and the Americas, but managing director Ross Brawn on Thursday suggested further European races could be added due to the difficulty of organising events around the world as nations come through the coronavirus pandemic at different rates.

Circuits including Italy’s Imola, Portugal’s Portimao and Germany’s Hockenheim would come under consideration if the European campaign is extended.

No spectators will be allowed to attend the opening eight races. This may change later in the season if health conditions allow.