Melbourne is guaranteed its place at the top of F1's annual calendar, it has emerged. Local media Fairfax has revealed Melbourne's new race contract until 2020 stipulates the season-opening slot for the almost 20-year-old Albert Park race.
"We have clauses in there about (being) the first race of the season," Australian Grand Prix Association chief Andrew Westacott confirmed. There had been rumours Australia could be relegated to a date later in the season, with the race's former host Adelaide having closed the championship throughout its grand prix tenure in the 80s and 90s.
But Westacott said: "The contract stipulates in various legal words about Melbourne being the first race and it being a day race. It's also in the agreement that there's no artificial light, so it's not going to go to a night race," he added. (GMM)
Melbourne promised season-opening slot until 2020
- Published on 09 Mar 2015 09:55
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
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Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
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Jan 27
M. Verstappen
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Jan 28
A. Antonelli
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G. Russell
- 1:16.445
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Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
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Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
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Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
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Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
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C. Leclerc
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
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