The organization behind the Australian Grand Prix has abandoned the idea of acting as a ‘Plan B’ should the Formula 1 season not be able to start in Bahrain next year. The CEO of the Australian race, Travis Auld, explains how the Grand Prix is actually already tied to the announced weekend in April due to renovations. “We can hardly shift those dates anymore,” Auld says.
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Formula 1 announced the calendar for 2027 on Wednesday. The new season begins with the Grands Prix of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, although this is not yet one hundred percent certain due to the current unrest in the Middle East. A Plan B that is already circulating is that the Australian GP will still be the opening race of 2027, should a race in Bahrain not be possible.
However, the organization behind the race in Melbourne is now putting a stop to that themselves. CEO of the Australian Grand Prix, Travis Auld, explains how the circuit is not yet finished with the renovation of the pit lane and paddock facilities. “The dates are now fixed, from April 1 to 4, and it is clear that a large project is being built behind us with certain deadlines attached,” the CEO said during a press moment. “So April 1 to 4 is fixed for us. We can hardly shift those dates anymore.”
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Imola
There is not only still uncertainty about the opening races of next season, but no decision has yet been made about whether the Grands Prix of Qatar and Abu Dhabi will take place this year. Should the season finale still take place in Europe, Imola is reportedly in pole position to host the last race of 2026.
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