The Australian Grand Prix has formally been postponed, with Bahrain now confirmed as the 2021 Formula 1 season opener.
Instead, the Melbourne event has been pushed back to November 21, with the season kicking off at the Sakhir International Circuit on March 28.
News of an imminent postponement came to light last week when Victoria announced that all F1 personnel would be required to isolate for 14 days.
It also means that the Supercars Championship will now race at Sandown on the weekend planned for the Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Grand Prix will also not go ahead on its planned date, with Imola returning to the F1 calendar and will host the second round on April 18.
There is now a serious risk of the Shanghai race being cancelled for the second year in a row.
The race will only be part of the schedule if another Grand Prix does not happen. This is because F1 is not willing to hold more than 23 races this year.
After its surprise debut event last year as a part of a heavily revamped 2020 schedule, Portugal’s Algarve circuit is poised for another round later this year.
A TBC round remains pencilled in for May 2, the weekend after Imola. It will likely either be Algarve or no round at all.
“We’re very excited to be able to confirm the rescheduling of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix to 18-21 November 2021,” Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman, Paul Little said.
“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.”
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
