The 2021 Australian Grand Prix (officially the Formula One Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2021) was originally scheduled to be the 21st race of the 2021 Formula One season, held between November 19 and November 21 2021. It was canceled due to ongoing restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background[]
Since 1996, the Australian Grand Prix has traditionally been the season-opener for every Formula One season (except for the 2006 season, when it was held as the third round that year to avoid clashing with the Commonwealth Games, and in 2010 as the second round). However, the previous year's race was canceled after a McLaren team member was tested positive for COVID-19. Since then, the 2021 race was reinstated into that year's race calendar as the usual season-opener on March 21, but following concerns over the pandemic, the Australian Grand Prix was decided to be postponed to November 21[1][2]. This marks the first Australian Grand Prix since 1995 to be held late in the season.
The rescheduling of the Australian Grand Prix hence allowed track authorities to perform modifications on the Albert Park Circuit, in a bid to improve overtaking action on the circuit. The biggest change on the circuit would be the Turn 9-10 complex, which will be changed from a heavy right-left to a sweeping right-left. Other modifications include the widening of the pit lane by 2 meters (hence increasing pit lane speed limit) and a reprofiling of Turn 13[3][4]. However, on July 6, the race was announced to be canceled again for the second year in a row.[5]
References[]
- ↑ Motorsport.com: F1 season-opening Australian GP set for postponement
- ↑ F1.com: F1 Schedule 2021 – Bahrain to host season opener as Australia moves later in calendar and Imola returns
- ↑ Motorsport.com: Albert Park layout will change for 2021 Australian GP
- ↑ Motorsport.com: Albert Park F1 layout changes explained
- ↑ F1.com: Australian Grand Prix off in 2021
| V T E |  Australian Grand Prix
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| Circuits | Adelaide Street Circuit (1985–1995) • Albert Park Circuit (1996–present) |  |
| Races | 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • |