F1 postpones Melbourne Grand Prix to November

January 12, 2021

The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix is to be moved to November, with the Victorian Government, Formula 1 management and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation agreeing that quarantine restrictions relating to the Coronavirus pandemic make "it is not feasible" to hold the race in March as was originally scheduled.

The race, held in Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit, will now be contested on 21st November "subject to prevailing public health conditions".

The traditional season opener for the Formula One season, it became clear in recent weeks that the race would have to be postponed due to the stringent quarantine conditions required by Victorian health authorities.

The length of time demanded for quarantine would have impacted on preparations for what will be the longest ever race season in F1 history.

Advising of the rescheduling, Victorian Sports Minister, Martin Pakula noted that the November date “acknowledges that the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic made the usual season-opening March date unrealistic.”

Last year's Australian Grand Prix was cancelled at the last minute after Formula One teams and hundreds of staff had already arrived in Melbourne.

The change means that the F1 season will start in Bahrain on 28th March.

The announcement of the news new race date comes on the same day as the Victorian Government and health authorities have revealed the quarantine arrangements for a 1200-strong cohort of tennis players and officials about to arrive in Australia on chartered planes for this year's delayed Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

The government has pointed out that quarantine arrangements will be central to the race going ahead on the rescheduled date, with Minister Paula adding “the operation of the four-day Grand Prix event at Albert Park will be subject to prevailing public health conditions and advice from the Chief Health Officer, with infection prevention and control at the centre of all decisions

"Quarantine and other aspects of the Grand Prix will be considered in due course."

Commenting on the rescheduling, Formula 1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali added “it is great news that we have already been able to agree a rescheduled date for the Australian Grand Prix.

"The virus situation remains fluid, but we have the experience from last season with all our partners and promoters to adapt accordingly and safely in 2021."

Reports also indicate that the Chinese Grand Prix, scheduled to be held in Shanghai on 11^th April, has also been postponed.

Image: The start line lights at the Australian Grand Prix. Credit: Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

12th January 2021 - Australian Open players and officials to face world’s ‘strictest rules for tennis’

11th January 2021 - Fourth cricket Test confirmed for the Gabba

11th January 2021 - Rescheduled Dubai Expo anticipates 25 million visits over its six-month event

5th January 2021 - Season-opening Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix set to be postponed?

4th January 2021 - NSW Government reduce SCG’s crowd capacity to 25% for Australia v India Test

2nd January 2021 - New Victorian Coronavirus outbreak sees NBL relocate South East Melbourne Phoenix and New Zealand Breakers to Hobart

23rd December 2020 - Melbourne Park’s three main venues to operate with at least 25% capacity for Australian Open

15th December 2020 - Yas Island Abu Dhabi rewards frontline workers with visits to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2020 and attractions

27th November 2020 - New safety initiative sees warning lights made mandatory at all Formula 1 and MotoGP circuits

12th November 2020 - Vietnamese Grand Prix dropped as F1 announces longest ever race calendar for 2021

5th November 2020 - Saudi Arabia to host first F1 Grand Prix in 2021

13th October 2020 - Australian Grand Prix Corporation appoints Nicki Kenyon to board

1st October 2020 - Global sports survey shows impact of COVID-19 pandemic

25th August 2020 - Formula 1 adds Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Turkey to 2020 race calendar

6th August 2020 - World Health Organization says large crowds for sporting events are unrealistic this year

20th May 2020 - Global sports sponsorship market predicted to fall by 37% this year

1st May 2020 - Coronavirus has multi-billion dollar negative impact on global sport

13th March 2020 - Australian Grand Prix called off due to Coronavirus concerns

13th February 2020 - Coronavirus fears sees postponement of F1 Chinese Grand Prix

27th January 2020 - Coronavirus impacts Asian sporting events

19th July 2019 - Melbourne secures Formula 1 Grand Prix until at least 2025

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.