Stop your engines: F1, MotoGP red-flagged

The Australian GP has been called off for the second consecutive year, with the Victorian government blaming the vaccine rollout.

The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix has been cancelled for a second year running, with organisers and the Victorian state government blaming restrictions and ­logistical issues resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

The MotoGP at Phillip Island, which was due to take place in October, was also cancelled.

In a devastating setback for an already fractured Victorian economy, the state government and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation announced on Tuesday that the 2021 F1 race, which had been rescheduled from March to November, would not go ahead.

Describing the two decisions as “mutually agreed” upon, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews blamed last week’s national cabinet resolution to temporarily halve the numbers of international visitors into the country.

That, combined with a slower-than-expected vaccination uptake, meant that “running big international events is very, very challenging”, Mr Andrews said. “Some things are possible in a pandemic, but some aren’t. We have to do all we can to safeguard not bringing the virus in.”

Josh Frydenberg described the cancellations as a “devastating blow” to Victoria’s economy.

Former premier Jeff Kennett, who was responsible for luring the F1 race to Melbourne from Adelaide, said it would have huge ramifications for the state’s economy, tourism and employment.

“I don’t understand why this country is so inflexible. We should be letting in those who have been vaccinated,” he said.

Following the shock last-­minute cancellation of the 2020 race, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation had been working on a “Covid-safe” plan that would have allowed F1 drivers, team officials and crew members to operate in a “bubble” similar to what has been happening overseas.

Despite the pandemic, F1 races have been staged in more than a dozen countries, with staff flying in and operating in a strictly contained environment and submitting to regular Covid-19 tests.

According to a statement from the Premier’s office, both F1 management and MotoGP controller Dorna Sports had required assurances the events could proceed.

“The government understands the need … to confirm their schedules and the decision not to proceed in 2021 was mutually agreed with those bodies,” it said.

Minister for Sports and Major Events Martin Pakula said trying to accommodate 1600 crew and racers from overseas would have been “extremely difficult”.

“It’s very disappointing that these much-loved events can’t proceed but this is the reality of the pandemic,” he said.

“Until we get much higher vaccination rates we cannot ­return to more normal settings.”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief Andrew Westacott said the decision was a harsh reality of operating in a pandemic and having to adhere to national and state entry requirements.

He said the reduction on arrivals “made it challenging to bring in a contingent of 1600 people who need to come in for an international event” such as this.