The Australian Formula 1 and MotoGP rounds have been cancelled for the 2021 season, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) has officially announced. The organisers confirmed that neither race will be given the green signal this year, which were scheduled to take place in November. The update comes in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted Australia to close its borders to limit the spread of the virus. The announcement surely comes as a blow to Australian motorsport fans as well as F1 and MotoGP fans alike.
With the Australian borders closed, the organisers could not reach an agreement with the federal agencies over hosting F1 and MotoGP races
Speaking about the decision, Andrew Westacott, CEO - AGPC said, "We understand this is not the news MotoGP and Formula 1 fans wanted to hear. 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 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."
Stefano Domenicali - Formula 1 CEO said, "While it is disappointing we won't be racing in Australia this season, we are confident we can deliver a 23 race season in 2021 and we have a number of options to take forward to replace the place left vacant by the Australian Grand Prix. We will be working through the details of those options in the coming weeks and will provide further updates once those discussions are concluded."
MotoGP has brought forward the Malaysian GP on the calendar and added the Algarve GP in the absence of Australia
Originally scheduled as the F1 season opener in March, the Australian GP was moved to mid-November on the calendar for 2021. The organisers though could not come to an agreement with the state health officials and the federal government over how to bring riders, drivers, teams and engineers to the track through the closed border. Organisers also looked at an idea of a biosphere at least for the Albert Park F1 race but the idea could not reach a conclusion.
Meanwhile, MotoGP promoters Dorna has announced that the Algarve GP to fill in the void left by Australia. The organisers have brought forward the Malaysian GP by a week and it will now take place over the October 22-24, 2021, weekend. The Algarve GP, meanwhile, will take place between November 5-7, for a second Grand Prix this season.
While the pandemic may have brought about limitations this season, the AGPC is hopeful of hosting both F1 and MotoGP races next season at Albert Park and Philip Island respectively.
