Melbourne promised season-opening slot until 2020

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)

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Spain
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Bahrain
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Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
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