Melbourne will not replace Bahrain to open the 2027 season if the situation in the Middle East disrupts the calendar once again.
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The Australian Grand Prix has long been associated with the kick-off of the Formula 1 season, but Melbourne is not expected to regain this role in 2027. Organizers have confirmed that it would be practically impossible to move the event forward if the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix could not ultimately take place on the scheduled dates.
The calendar published this week currently plans a season start in Bahrain from March 12 to 14, immediately followed by Saudi Arabia from March 19 to 21. Melbourne is then set to host the third round at Albert Park from April 1 to 4. But the ongoing uncertainties in the Middle East continue to cast doubt over this arrangement.
Melbourne will not be able to replace Bahrain
Australia naturally appeared as a backup solution in case of a calendar change. Melbourne hosted the first race of the season almost systematically between 1996 and 2019 and again held this position in 2025 and 2026.
To replicate this scenario in 2027, the Grand Prix would need to be moved forward by about three weeks and also reorganize China’s place in the calendar. This possibility is now ruled out by Travis Auld, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
“Our date is now set from April 1 to 4 and, obviously, we have behind us a major construction project that must meet certain deadlines.”
The work currently underway at Albert Park is indeed one of the main obstacles. The pit building has been demolished and is being rebuilt. The new facilities will only be fully operational in 2028, although part of them can already be used during the 2027 edition.
“So we are practically locked into this April 1 to 4 date and I think it would now be difficult for us to move it.”
Another major event blocks the month of March
A second issue makes changing the date particularly complicated. From March 11 to 15, Australia must face England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in a special match celebrating the 150th anniversary of Test cricket.
The stadium is just a few minutes’ walk from Albert Park. Organizing two major sporting events simultaneously would therefore create significant logistical difficulties for the city.
However, the Australian Grand Prix contract with Formula 1 stipulates that Melbourne remains positioned among the first three rounds of each season.
“Our contract with Formula 1 stipulates that we are somewhere between the first and third race each year.”
Auld is also satisfied with this place in the calendar, which allows Melbourne to benefit from a period when the sporting hierarchy is still taking shape.
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“We hosted the first race these past two years. What really works well for us is having an event early in the season, when the championship story is still unfolding. This year, we will therefore be the third race.”
Australia will host its first Sprint
If Melbourne loses its status as the opening round in 2027, the Australian weekend will benefit from an important novelty instead. Albert Park will host a Sprint race for the first time.
Formula 1 has decided to increase the number of Sprint weekends to ten next season. Australia is among the new circuits selected to adopt this format, alongside Bahrain, Japan, Monaco, and Abu Dhabi.
The Australian organizers had actively requested to obtain this additional race and Auld sees its allocation as a sign of trust from Formula 1.
“We had long discussions regarding our desire to host a Sprint race. I think the fact that they grant us one shows they trust us as an event, but above all they trust Melbourne to organize major events.”
Melbourne bets on an even larger audience
For the organizers, the interest of the Sprint format is also commercial. An additional qualifying session and a race on Saturday should enhance the appeal of the three days of the weekend, unlike the traditional format dominated by free practice on Friday and part of Saturday.
Auld notably cites an audience increase between 10 and 12% for events hosting this format.
“Statistics show that it brings more value to the event in terms of audience. The figures indicate an increase of about 10 to 12%.”
According to him, spectators’ interest in Sprint qualifying is also significantly higher than that generated by a traditional free practice session.
“Fans enjoy Sprint qualifying three times more than free practice. From the fans’ point of view, it is therefore clearly much more interesting.”
The Australian Grand Prix should thus keep its place from April 1 to 4, regardless of the situation regarding Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. If Formula 1 ultimately has to revise its 2027 season start, it will therefore have to look for another solution than moving Melbourne forward by several weeks.
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