Suzuka chief Kaoru Tanaka has revealed a problem about the issuing of entry visas was behind the decision to cancel the Japanese Grand Prix.

For the second consecutive year, the Suzuka round of the World Championship has been lost as a result of the ongoing health pandemic.

It means Formula 1 now have to fill two blank slots if they want to fulfil their target of a 23-race season – October 10 now being free as well as November 21 with the Australian Grand Prix having previously been called off.

Despite the Olympic Games recently having taken place in Tokyo behind closed doors, and the Paralympics about to get under way, the reason for the cancellation of the grand prix was an administrative one regarding entry into Japan, said Tanaka.