Australian GP working towards fan attendance for 2021
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation is working with local government and health authorities on a plan to get fans through the gates at next March's Formula 1 season opener.

The Melbourne event has been confirmed for March 21 as part of today's calendar announcement.
Read Also:
That news comes amid Melbourne's cautious reopening from a deadly second COVID-19 wave, which saw cases in the city peak at over 700 per day in July.
The city was in differing stages of lockdown from early July onwards, harsh Stage 4 restrictions, which at one point kept people indoors for 23 hours per day, only lifting in recent weeks.
The payoff has been an extreme suppression off the virus, Melbourne now on its 10th day of zero cases and effectively on par with the rest of Australia.
With a new 'COVID normal' expected to be in place before Christmas, there is reason for optimism that crowds will be welcome at the AGP next March.
Other parts of the country are already letting crowds of tens of thousands in stadiums, the AGPC now working with health officials and the Victorian government on what may be feasible at Albert Park.
"We're thrilled that the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship will commence at its traditional home here in Melbourne," said AGPC CEO Andrew Westacott.
"We continue to work closely with health authorities and the Victorian government as we develop our plans for fan attendance, which will be announced when finalised.
"We're adopting a sensible, adaptable and flexible approach, ensuring that a safe environment for fans and participants is our top priority.
"Our massive parkland venue with 10.6 kilometres of track frontage provides us with the perfect opportunity to create a COVID-safe venue."
Access to Australia is the biggest unknown ahead of the AGP, the country's borders unlikely to be fully opened until a vaccine is in play.
That means personnel and drivers coming from overseas may be forced to complete two weeks of hotel quarantine before being allowed into the country for the race.
Related video

Previous article
2021 Formula 1 calendar released
Next article
Is F1's 23-race calendar too much and too ambitious?

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Author | Andrew van Leeuwen |
Australian GP working towards fan attendance for 2021
Trending
The updates Williams hopes will lead to a point-scoring return
After producing a car which demonstrated progress but lacked the points to prove it last year, Williams starts its new era of team ownership with the FW43B, its bid to continue the climb up the Formula 1 grid in 2021
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end