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Australian Grand Prix: F1 season opener sees threat amidst COVID-19 concerns

Tanish Chachra
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Australian Grand Prix: F1 season opener sees threat amidst COVID-19 concerns

Australian Grand Prix: F1 season opener sees a large threat looming over themselves with COVID-19 concerns compelling authorities to postpone.

Australian Grand Prix was set to return to F1 calendar in 2021, as COVID-19 shelved its plans for 2020, but the bad news is once again looming over the Aussies, as the pandemic is forcing authorities to drop the 2021 race too.

As per the report published by the Race Fans, the judgement over the Grand Prix should go ahead has to be taken within the next two weeks, as the construction of the temporary circuit according to the report also needs to be started by January end to make it complete by the Grand Prix date.

If F1 wishes to race in Australia, it might have to adhere to a bio-bubble, take charter flights to Australia and live in a 14-day quarantine in Melbourne, which proposes multiple logistical challenges.

As of now, ticket sales of the Australian Grand Prix has not been rolled out, and by this authorities might see convenience in cancelling the event.

If somehow, Australia cancels their race, then Bahrain Grand Prix will probably be the de-facto season opener for F1 2021, and it has already begun with the ticket sales.

It might not get cancelled.

COVID-19 so far is under control in Australia, and on this day less than 3000 cases are active within the country. However,  Melbourne has seen a slight spark in COVID-19 cases, with 18 cases being traced from a single Thai restaurant.

Yet, considering Australian authorities’ efficiency in controlling the COVID-19 widespread and the significant amount of time remaining till Grand Prix date, it might pass ahead.

On the other hand, Australia is already organizing other major sports events, with India touring Australia for a cricket series and played its last match in Melbourne Cricket Ground.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra

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Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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