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The Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne
Photo:
Scott Barbour / dpa
Formula 1 is relocating the opening race in Australia and instead starts the new season in Bahrain.
As the premier class of motorsport announced, the start, which is actually planned for March 21 in Melbourne, cannot take place due to the corona pandemic.
The first Grand Prix of the year is therefore planned for March 28 in Bahrain, around 12,000 kilometers away, which was the second Formula 1 station in the original racing calendar.
Mick Schumacher will also make his debut as a regular driver for Haas in the small kingdom on the Persian Gulf.
The trip to Melbourne should be made up for in the fall on November 21st.
The China guest appearance in Shanghai, scheduled for April 11, will also not take place.
It should be made up at a later date.
Formula 1 will stop at Imola again on April 18.
"It was a busy start to the Formula 1 year and we are pleased to be able to confirm that the number of races planned for the season remains unchanged," said the new Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali.
No race in Germany
In 2020, the drivers had traveled to Australia and prepared for the first Grand Prix of the year there.
However, due to a Corona case at the McLaren team, the start had to be canceled at short notice in mid-March.
At the end of the year, World Champion Lewis Hamilton and his rivals competed in 17 Grand Prix - usually closed to the public and with strict hygiene and safety rules.
A record calendar with 23 races is set for this year.
A Grand Prix in Germany is not planned.
As usual, the season finale will not take place in Abu Dhabi until December 12th.
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mfu / dpa