The start of the 2021 Formula 1 season is already uncertain with the Australian Grand Prix facing postponement, RaceFans claim.
After 13 races were cancelled and others rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic last year, F1 is hoping to return to a somewhat normal calendar starting in Melbourne on March 21.
However, a recent cluster of new Covid cases in New South Wales and the first reported cases in Victoria, where Melbourne is located, in two months has led Australian authorities to introduce new measures for international visitors.
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As a result, for F1 to go ahead, all team members, media and other personnel would have to quarantine for 14 days first or travel on charter flights and operate in a strict bubble, as was the case in Abu Dhabi.
Neither though are particularly attractive options due to the logistics and costs for F1, while for Australian GP organisers, there is the need to build the temporary track around Albert Park, with work typically beginning in late January.
Furthermore, memories of last year’s debacle remain fresh, when a positive Covid case at McLaren led to a last-minute cancellation of the race on Friday morning, shortly before practice was due to begin and with thousands of fans stuck at the gates.
No decision has been made about the Grand Prix, but Melbourne is already having to deal with one large sporting event, the Australian Open tennis championship, which has so far been delayed three weeks until the start of February to give players time to quarantine.
A potential postponement until later in the year is plausible for F1 too, although very difficult with 11 races currently planned between the end of August and the finale in Abu Dhabi on December 5.
If Australia didn’t go ahead, Bahrain would become the defacto season opener on March 28, potentially also leading to a change in pre-season testing plans, as the Middle East would offer better weather than the usual winter hub in Barcelona.