Formula 1 to open 2021 season with Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at BIC

Formula 1 announced today that the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship will open its season in Bahrain. This follows the postponement of the Australian Grand Prix due to the current situation regarding COVID-19, with the season now starting a week later. 

The Melbourne race has been rescheduled and will now take place November 18 to 21 following an agreement between F1 and Australian authorities.

The move is part of a series of changes on the 23-race F1 calendar confirmed today by F1.

Whilst the dates for the Bahrain race will remain as previously announced, these changes will mean that the 2021 season will be the third time that the F1 season will be starting at BIC. The championship-opener was also previously held at BIC in 2006 and 2010.

Other revisions to the calendar include:

• The Chinese Grand Prix not taking place on its planned date, with a possible rescheduling of the race later in the season.
• The addition of Imola on April 18. 
• Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix both moving a week later (5 December and 12 December respectively)
• The race marked as TBC on the calendar will be announced in due course and will take place on the new date of May 2.

These revisions are subject to FIA World Motor Sport Council approval.

More details on the 2021 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will be announced in due course.

BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa commented: 

“We thank F1 for trusting us with hosting the 2021 season-opener under the revised schedule. It is an honour to be kicking off the new season and we look forward to welcoming back the F1 family to Bahrain. 

“We are also pleased to see Australia on the calendar later in the year and wish them and everyone else in F1 the very best as we prepare for the new season.”