The 2019 Formula 1 season is set to start a week earlier, as the Australian GP recently announced the date for the start of the 2019 calendar.
The Formula 1 fraternity would turn their eyes to Melbourne a week earlier this time, as the organisers have locked in 14-17 March as the date for the opening grand prix.
The date however will have to approved by the World Motorsport council later this year.
Now, according to Autosport, the biggest reason for this date switch is because the F1 opening weekend has been coinciding with the opening round of the AFL season for the past 2 years.
With these two major sporting events not clashing, broadcasters and fans both will benefit. For fans, they’ll be able to watch both these events without having to switch channels and for broadcasters, it will help them attract more viewership for both events.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott feels that the early date announcement might help attract more fans to Albert Park for the race.
“To announce the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2019 date more than eight months out from the event is fantastic news and we hope this will encourage overseas and interstate visitors to plan for a lengthy visit to Melbourne and Victoria.
“We are immensely proud of the four-day spectacle Melbourne puts on and honoured to raise the curtain on one of the world’s most prestigious annual championships.
“The start of an F1 season, our Aussie superstar Daniel Ricciardo, a Supercars championship round and so much off-track action – it’s a must-attend event in 2019.”
