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AUSTRALIAN GP POSTPONED

Australian Grand Prix postponed - Photo: LAT

By Bruce Williams

Australian Grand Prix postponed - Photo: LAT

Australian Grand Prix postponed – Photo: LAT

Formula 1 has announced this evening that for the second year in succession the Australian Grand Prix will not kick off its season.

By DAN McCARTHY

An updated calendar has been revealed and has Australia provisionally down as the third from last race of the season, pencilling in November 21 a date for Melbourne to host the race.

This rescheduled date is however ever subject to official World Motor Sport Council approval.

It is still a possibility that the Australian Grand Prix may not be run for the second year in succession, pending the COVID-19 Pandemic situation internationally as well as our international traveller quarantine laws later this year.

The 2021 Formula 1 season will instead begin in Bahrain, it will be the first time the venue in Sakhir has hosted the opening round since 2010 when they ran on the lengthened 6.29km layout.

The season will now start a week later with Bahrain hosting the first race on March 28.

Due to ongoing travel restrictions, the 2021 Chinese Grand Prix has also been postponed, but unlike the Australian Grand Prix it has not been given a revised date.

Discussions with the promoter and authorities in China are ongoing, with the potential to reschedule the race later for later in the season if possible.

Imola returns to the schedule in place of China, the popular Italian venue will host its second grand prix in two years.

The TBC race scheduled as the third round will be announced in due course and will take place on the new date of May 2.

Twenty-three races remain on the calendar, however a China return may would make it 24.

Updated 2021 F1 Calendar:

28 March – Bahrain (Sakhir)
18 April – Italy (Imola*)
2 May – TBC
9 May – Spain (Barcelona)
23 May – Monaco (Monaco)
6 June – Azerbaijan (Baku)
13 June – Canada (Montreal)
27 June – France (Le Castellet)
4 July – Austria (Spielberg)
18 July – United Kingdom (Silverstone)
1 August – Hungary (Budapest)
29 August – Belgium (Spa)
5 September – Netherlands (Zandvoort)
12 September – Italy (Monza)
26 September – Russia (Sochi)
3 October – Singapore (Singapore)
10 October – Japan (Suzuka)
24 October – USA (Austin)
31 October – Mexico (Mexico City)
7 November – Brazil (Sao Paulo)
21 November – Australia (Melbourne*)
5 December – Saudi Arabia (Jeddah**)
12 December – Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)

*Revisions to calendar are subject to World Motor Sport Council approval **Subject to circuit homologation

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