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Agence France-Presse

Vietnam’s inaugural Formula One grand prix “might not happen” next year, a source said on Tuesday, as a report said it had been dropped from the 2021 calendar following the arrest of a key official.
Doubts about the race arose after Nguyen Duc Chung, who was Hanoi’s mayor and a major supporter of the grand prix, was arrested on corruption charges in August.
“Without Chung, the future of the race in Hanoi is gloomy. It might not happen,” a source close to the race told AFP on condition of anonymity.
There has been no word from Vietnamese authorities on whether the race, postponed from April and then cancelled because of the coronavirus, would make its belated debut next year.
Vietnam Grand Prix? Hanoi should swerve Formula One instead of wasting millions pretending to be a mini Monaco
Some spectator stands have been removed from beside the track.
And the BBC said the date of the grand prix, April 25, has been left blank on a 22-race 2021 schedule to be published on Tuesday.

The report said the move was triggered by the arrest of Chung, who struck the deal to host the race, for the alleged “appropriation of secret state documents”.
Three others including his driver were arrested in the case, which is not related to the grand prix.
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Chung, 53, was suspended as mayor two weeks before his arrest. The one-time director of Hanoi’s police department was appointed chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee in 2015.
Vietnam signed up for Formula One hoping the glamour of the sport could reflect the country’s economic lift-off and reshape Hanoi’s staid image, much as it has done for Singapore.


The communist nation inked a 10-year deal with Formula One in 2018. State media said it would cost the country US$60 million per year.
The fee has been picked up in full by the country’s largest private conglomerate, VinGroup, which had been hoping to dazzle with a night race.

Officials said the 5.565-kilometre track in Hanoi was ready ahead of schedule.
Vietnam last month formally cancelled the 2020 grand prix due to concerns that teams and fans coming from overseas could spark a new outbreak of Covid-19.
Authorities have allowed very few commercial flights into Vietnam since borders were largely closed in March, and tourist visas are still suspended.
The country has gained plaudits for its handling of the coronavirus, with just 1,215 recorded cases and no community transmission for more than two months.


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Vietnam’s Formula One debut in doubt after scandal; reportedly dropped from 2021 calendar

Vietnam’s first Formula One grand prix has been dropped from the 2021 calendar. Photo: AFP

epa08767150 YEARENDER 2020 SPORTS A street vendor sits in front a poster promoting the Formula One Vietnam Grand Prix at the construction site of the Formula One Vietnam Grand Prix in Hanoi, Vietnam, 13 March 2020. The race in Vietnam, scheduled for 05 April 2020, is under threat following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix on 13 March after a member of the McLaren team tested positive for coronavirus on 12 March. EPA-EFE/LUONG THAI LINH *** Local Caption *** 55949943

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 10, 2020, a worker, wearing a facemask amid concerns of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, walks past hoarding at the Formula One Vietnam Grand Prix race track site in Hanoi. - Vietnam's first Formula One Grand Prix has been dropped from the 2021 calendar, according to a November 10, 2020 report on the BBC. The move had been triggered on the arrest on corruption charges of a key official responsible for the race in Hanoi, it added. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP)

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Fans of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton cheer during the qualifying session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix last year. Photo: AP

FILE - In this April 14, 2018 file photo, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the third practice session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai. More Formula One races are coming to Asia, and a street race in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi could be the first addition. Formula One's managing director of commercial operations tells The Associated Press that Hanoi could be added for the 2020 season, though there has been some speculation it could arrive as early as next season. Sean Bratches says a second race in China is also likely and would join Shanghai. He says deciding where will "be left to local Chinese partners." (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

epa07505468 British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG GP reacts after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International circuit in Shanghai, China, 14 April 2019. EPA-EFE/DIEGO AZUBEL

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Motorsport


Doubts about the race arise after Hanoi’s mayor is arrested on corruption charges



Doubts about the race arise after Hanoi’s mayor is arrested on corruption charges.


Vietnam

Vietnam’s Formula One debut in doubt after scandal; reportedly dropped from 2021 calendar

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Doubts about the race arise after Hanoi’s mayor is arrested on corruption charges

Doubts about the race arise after Hanoi’s mayor is arrested on corruption charges