Formula 1 'assessing' viability of Turkish GP as country joins UK red list

Formula 1 is assessing the viability of next month's Turkish GP following the UK government's decision on Friday to put Turkey on its COVID-19 red list from May 12.

Turkey has joined a list of countries that "should not be visited except in the most extreme circumstances", according to UK transport secretary Grant Schapps.

The UK's red list rules impose a mandatory 10-day quarantine in a government-approved hotel on anyone travelling back from Turkey, a impractical statute that would impact the staff of the seven F1 teams based in the country.

Following Friday's news an F1 spokesperson said: "We are aware of the announcement made by the UK government regarding travel restrictions for Turkey and are assessing the situation and will provide more details in the coming days."

• Read also: Silverstone backs 'vaccine passports' to enable full British GP crowd

The Turkish GP, which is scheduled to take place at Istanbul Park on June 13, was only recently added to F1 2021 calendar, with the event filling the void left by the cancellation of the Canadian GP in Montreal.

The race is set to take place just one week after the Azerbaijan GP, conveniently extending F1's fly-away Asian leg, with freight and equipment traveling directly from Baku to Istanbul.

Formula 1 remains on track for a 23-race season, but the lingering coronavirus pandemic could lead to more cancellations, with Australia, Singapore, Japan, Brazil and Mexico currently considered as the countries most at risk.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter