Australian Grand Prix organisers have confirmed that the Melbourne race will not substitute in as a potential 2027 season-opener if it cannot be held in Bahrain.
In the 2027 calendar which was published on Wednesday, Albert Park was pencilled in as the third round of the season across April 1st-4th, after the season begins with a double-header in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on March 12th-19th and 19th-21st, respectively.
However, owing to the uncertainty in the Middle East prompted by the ongoing Iran War, there remains the possibility that the season does not start in Sakhir and Jeddah, with Melbourne, which hosted the opening race between 1996 and 2019, and again in 2025 and 2026, a potential replacement.
This would mean moving the race forward three weeks to mid-March, and Australia and China jumping forwards in an effective swap with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but for a number of reasons, this is not feasible.
One is that between March 11-15th, covering that weekend, Australia are hosting England in a special one-off 150th anniversary Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), located within walking distance of Albert Park.
Another, is that the pit-building at Albert Park has been demolished and is in the process of being rebuilt, and will be fully operational for the 2028 race, with partial facilities available for 2027.
"Our date’s been locked in now, April 1-4, and clearly we’ve got a big asset being built behind us that has some timelines attached to it,” Australian GP Corporation CEO Travis Auld told Australian media.
"So we’re pretty much locked in at that April 1-4 date, and I think it would be difficult for us to move that date now.
"Our contract with F1 has us as being somewhere between race one and three each year.
"We’ve had race one the last two years. I think what’s worked really well for us has been a race early in the season. The story of the season is still taking shape.
"And so this year it will be race three."
The article continues below.
Viewed by others:
Australia to host its first Sprint race
When the 2027 calendar was announced, Albert Park was confirmed as one of the 10 hosts of a Sprint race, and will follow Bahrain, Japan, Monaco, and Abu Dhabi in hosting one for the first time.
It is something Auld revealed the organisers had lobbied aggressively for.
"I know we had lengthy conversations about our desire to have a sprint race," he continued.
"I think they’re awarding a sprint race to us is a sign they trust us as an event. But importantly, they trust us as a city to put on great events.
"The stats say it brings more value to the event from a viewership point of view.
"I think the numbers say 10-12% increase in viewership. Fans enjoy the sprint qualifying three times more than they do enjoy free practice. And so from a fan point of view, it’s certainly way more compelling."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding as they look back on the Spanish GP! The Madring layout and lack of overtaking is a major talking point, as is Lando Norris' cruel victory loss.
Rather watch this podcast? Then click here!
Get the latest F1 news from RacingNews365 directly in your Google feed! Click on the link below and you’ll see your favourite F1 website appearing even more often. That way, you’ll never miss any news, analyses, interviews, or exclusives.
Follow RacingNews365 on GoogleMost read
In this article
Never miss a thing from the Formula 1 season! Add the 2026 F1 schedule to your calendar at the touch of a button. Subscribe below and put the dates and times of every race directly on your PC or smartphone, so you don't miss a second from the new season.
Download the F1 calendar Download the F1 calendar
A variant with just the race and qualifying is also available.
Click here to download it..
Join the conversation!