Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix in April has been postponed due to the recent outbreak of Covid-19 in the country, organisers said on Tuesday. The first round of the 2021 season will be relocated to the calendar, which will feature 23 races this year.
The F1 season should begin on March 21 in Melbourne, in what would be the return of the Australian GP as the opening test of the campaign. However, the country’s strict restrictions on travel. Thus, the Bahrain GP will be the first of the 2021 season and will be held on March 28.
Discussions between the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the government and Formula One management about the Formula One calendar for 2021 are ongoing,” a government spokesman said.
“As part of those discussions, the government will continue to prioritise public health considerations while protecting our major events calendar.” he added.
In 2020 season, the Australian GP was canceled shortly before free practice began on Friday. Those discussions concluded with a majority view of the teams that the race should not go ahead.
Ticket sales have not started yet and the official announcement of the cancellation of the race is expected to be made at the end of January , before the start of the refurbishment of the Albert Park street circuit.
“In 2020 we proved that we could return to racing safely and delivered what many thought was impossible in March. We have set out our 2021 calendar and look forward to the return of F1 in March this year.” a F1 spokeperson said.
Unlike the F1 GP, the Australian Tennis Open will take place on the scheduled dates, February 8-21, in Melbourne. All participants will have to comply with the health protocol, including a two-week quarantine upon entering the country.
