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Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport driver Valtteri Bottas (77) of Finland pours champagne on the head of Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport driver Lewis Hamilton (44) of Great Britain after clinching the 2019 FIA Formula 1 World Championship at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas on November 3, 2019. Getty Images | Ken Murray | Icon Sportswire The Australian Grand Prix has been postponed for the second year in a row owing to “restrictions and logistical obstacles” brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, according to organizers. The Grand Prix was scheduled to take place at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne from November 18 to 21, after being postponed from its original March date owing to changes in quarantine laws in Victoria. However, organizers stated on Tuesday that the race will be canceled for the second year in a row, with the 2020 race also being canceled when a McLaren team member contracted coronavirus just before the race. The 2021 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix has been cancelled due to constraints and logistical issues connected to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement released by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) in collaboration with the Victorian Government and Formula 1. “In regards to the 2022 calendar timings for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix event, the AGPC will continue to liaise with Formula 1 and the Victorian Government.” The Australian MotoGP, scheduled for October 22-24 on Phillip Island, has also been canceled, with the Malaysian event being moved up a week to take its position on the calendar. “We’re disappointed that fans of both MotoGP and Formula 1 won’t be able to see the world’s greatest riders and drivers compete at the magnificent Phillip Island and Albert Park Grand Prix Circuits for the second year in a row,” AGPC chairman Paul Little said. “We recognize Australia’s difficulty in dealing with current foreign travel restrictions and the need of immunizations.” I want to reassure our dedicated and professional team, as well as the Victorian tourism and big events sector, that we will work relentlessly to produce these landmark events in 2022.” “While it is disappointing that we will not be racing in Australia this season, we are confident that we will be able to deliver a 23-race season in 2021, and we have a number of options to pursue to fill the void left by the Australian Grand Prix,” said Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali. In the coming weeks, we’ll be working through the details of those choices and will share further information once those discussions are completed.” “It’s a great sadness for all of the drivers that we won’t be coming down to Australia in November,” McLaren’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo said, “but we understand the reasons.” Personally, I am looking forward to racing at home once more, and it will be even sweeter because it has been so long.” Fingers crossed that things will improve in 2022 and we will be able to visit the amazing supporters at Albert Park once more and put on a nice show for them.”/nRead More

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