Australian Grand Prix organizers and officials are debating the race schedule with Formula One rulers, a government spokesman said on Tuesday amid speculation that the opening of the season will be postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic .
With Australia keeping strict control of quarantines on international reach, media reports have said the March 21 race at Albert Park will be pushed back to later in the season.
“Discussions between the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the government and the management of Formula One regarding the Formula One calendar for 2021 are ongoing,” said a spokesman for the Victorian state government.
“As part of these discussions, the government will continue to prioritize public health issues while protecting our calendar of major events. “
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) was also back from its March 21 record.
“Further details on the completion of arrangements will be provided by all parties in the coming weeks,” the AGPC said in a statement.
Tickets for the Australian Grand Prix have not yet sold out.
Last year’s Australian Grand Prix was postponed, just hours before the first practice was expected to start at the Albert Park street tour, when a member of the McLaren team tested positive for the virus.
The final season in Austria began in July, with the calendar heavily reorganized and reduced from the original 22-race record to 17 in Europe and the Middle East.