BREAKING: AUSTRALIAN F1 AND MOTOGP EVENTS OFFICIALLY CANCELLED

The Australian Formula 1 and Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix have both been officially cancelled.

Neither the F1 event at Albert Park nor the MotoGP round at Phillip Island will happen this year, both axed due to the continued COVID-19 related restrictions into Australia.

The Formula 1 Grand Prix had already been pushed back from its traditional season opening slot in mid-March to November 18-21 just a couple of weeks after MotoGP’s Australian GP at Phillip Island from October 22-24.

However, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation officially announced that both have been canned in 2021.

“The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) in conjunction with the Victorian Government, Formula 1 and Dorna Sports today announced the 2021 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and 2021 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix are cancelled due to restrictions and logistical challenges relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” a statement from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation confirmed.

In the end it was COVID-19 restrictions for international entries that forced both events to be cancelled. The state government couldn’t guarantee entry to MotoGP and F1 personnel without undertaking two weeks’ hotel quarantine.

CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation Andrew Westacott said that Victoria is determined to host both Grand Prixs in 2022.

“We understand this is not the news MotoGP and Formula 1 fans wanted to hear,” he admitted.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the Victorian Government, Formula 1 and Dorna Sports for their unwavering resilience and support during this challenging period, and for their ongoing commitment to these two great events.

“There are bound to be ongoing challenges with COVID-19, but I want to reassure fans that while there is sadness and disappointment amongst our wonderful AGPC staff there is a tenacity and determination to make sure the next episodes of MotoGP at the island and Formula 1 at the new Albert Park layout are sensational showcases of how we do things in Victoria.”

It is hoped that the harsh border restrictions will be eased in time for the Australian Grand Prix to fill its slot as the traditional F1 season opener in March of 2022.

If not, once again a November slot would likely be a viable alternate option, fitting in with the second Asian and Middle East leg of the F1 season which usually consists of Japan, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

“AGPC will continue to work with Formula 1  and the Victorian Government regarding the 2022 calendar timings for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix event,” the AGPC statement concluded.

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