F1 had been looking at potential alternative venues to stand in for Russia but concluded that the additional costs and burdens another race would have placed on teams and personnel were not warranted.

The race was due to take place on 25 September as the first leg of a triple-header with Singapore and Japan. It is understood that Qatar, which hosted its first GP last year, and a second race in Singapore were in contention to replace the Russian GP but organisers have confirmed the schedule will be shortened.

Freight and logistical costs this year are already a major issue in F1, with a potential increase to the budget cap to deal with them under discussion.

Adding another European race before Singapore was also ruled out because EU freight rules would have required teams to return to their factories, unpack and repack to meet regulations after a European meeting. This was considered untenable from a logistical perspective, with two races in Asia and two in the Americas to follow.