Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix postponed until later in 2021 season
Tuesday, 12 January 2021
The 2021 event will now be staged later in the year.
Formula 1®, the Victorian Government and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) have announced that the 2021 Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix has been postponed and will not occur in March.
Due to be held at Melbourne’s Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit and listed on the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship™ calendar for 18-21 March, the 2021 Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix will now be staged from 18-21 November*.
Continuing international travel disruptions and other matters related to coronavirus mean the event will not be able to go ahead as planned in March, however, Melbourne will now host the third-last race of the season for the first time – exactly eight months after the original dates.
Tickets for the March event had not gone on sale.
CEO, Formula 1®, Stefano Domenicali said: “It has been a busy start to the year at Formula 1® and we are pleased to confirm that the number of races planned for the season remains unchanged. The global pandemic has not yet allowed life to return to normal, but we showed in 2020 that we can race safely as the first international sport to return and we have the experience and plans in place to deliver on our season.
"It is great news that we have already been able to agree a rescheduled date for the Australian Grand Prix in November. We know our fans will be looking forward to the return of Formula 1® after the winter break and our revised season opener in Bahrain. Obviously, 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.”
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula said: “This is the right decision and we thank Formula 1® management for their co-operation in setting a new schedule for the 2021 season.
“The Australian Grand Prix is one of the great events in the world and we’ll make sure it can be run safely and successfully in November.”
Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman, Paul Little AO said: “We’re very excited to be able to confirm the rescheduling of the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix to 18-21 November 2021*. This wouldn’t have been possible without the strong support of the Victorian Government and Formula 1®.
“As the third-last race of the season, this provides the opportunity to safely host what could be the championship-decider in Melbourne in the lead-in to summer.
“We’d like to thank our loyal motorsport fans and employees for their understanding in these challenging times.”
Further announcements will be made regarding event arrangements and ticket on-sale dates in due course.
