Officials have confirmed talks are ongoing to decide the fate of the 2021 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix as postponement appears inevitable.
The race, due to take place in Melbourne on March 21, is under threat due to current Covid-19 restrictions which would either force teams to quarantine for two weeks before the race, or operate in a biosphere akin to that in Abu Dhabi.
With both options providing logistical and financial concerns for both sides, and with construction of the temporary track at Albert Park due to begin later this month, the uncertainty is likely to force what may well be the cancellation of the race for the second straight year despite hopes of finding a date later in the year.
"Discussions between the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the government and Formula One management about the Formula One calendar for 2021 are ongoing," a Victoria state government spokesman said on Monday.
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"As part of those discussions, the government will continue to prioritise public health considerations while protecting our major events calendar."
The race promoter added: "Further detail will be provided upon finalisation of arrangements with all parties in the coming weeks."
Should the Australian GP be postponed then Bahrain is expected to become the season opener, with F1 already working on moving pre-season testing to the Middle East and some suggestions the Outer Circuit could again be used in a doubleheader.
Officially, a spokesman continued to voice optimism that there will not be a repeat of the delayed start to the season as seen last year.
“In 2020, we proved we could return to racing safely and delivered what many thought was impossible in March," they said. "We have set out our 2021 calendar and look forward to the return of F1 in March this year.”
FIA president Jean Todt is less optimistic, however, admitting further disruption is likely as the pandemic grinds on.
“Unfortunately, it’s not over,” the Frenchman said via Motorsport.com.
“It’s not like the season is ending, [so] we start from a white piece of paper. Lockdown is still going to happen, confinement, the virus is there.
“There has been progress. We are expecting a vaccine, so it will be good for the population, good for the planet to be able to enjoy that.
“But I’m sure that over the next days, we will hear quite a lot of potential changes on the different calendars, not only Formula 1 but on other calendars.
“If I had to commit on a back to kind of normal, even if I feel it will be a different life behind the COVID-19 crisis, I think half of next year, in my opinion, will not be as we could have expected to have in a normal season.”
