F1 Schedule: who has the edge

F1’s calendar chaos explained... and what contract clause means for Aus GP. F1 Schedule has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in Australia.

Key facts

• F1’s calendar chaos explained... and what contract clause means for Aus GP.
• The Australian Grand Prix is expected to lose its coveted spot as the opening round of the Formula 1 season next year as construction work on new pit and paddock facilities continue at Albert Park.
• Assuming works remain on schedule for completion, Melbourne could be back in contention to host the first race in 2028, or at the latest in 2029.
• Barcelona is on an alternating deal with the Belgian Grand Prix that will see the Spanish round return to the schedule in 2028, potentially triggering a shuffling of the European races preceding the August mid-season break.
• Melbourne is set to be bumped back in the Formula One calendar in 2027.

What we know

Going deeper, the Australian Grand Prix is expected to lose its coveted spot as the opening round of the Formula 1 season next year as construction work on new pit and paddock facilities continue at Albert Park.

On the substance, Assuming works remain on schedule for completion, Melbourne could be back in contention to host the first race in 2028, or at the latest in 2029.

Beyond the headlines, Barcelona is on an alternating deal with the Belgian Grand Prix that will see the Spanish round return to the schedule in 2028, potentially triggering a shuffling of the European races preceding the August mid-season break.

More precisely, Melbourne is set to be bumped back in the Formula One calendar in 2027.

It is worth noting that after two years of being the season curtain raiser, Melbourne is set to be bumped back in the Formula One calendar in 2027.

By the numbers

At this stage, F1 returns this weekend in Miami after an unscheduled five week break.

On a related note, a potential shake-up to the F1 calendar could see the Australian Grand Prix lose its coveted position as the season-opening race for 2027.

Going deeper, If the change goes ahead, F1 would stay in the Middle East for the second round in Saudi Arabia, moving Melbourne to the third Grand Prix weekend, currently expected to be scheduled for 4 April.

On the substance, Melbourne traditionally hosted the season-opening race upon joining the calendar in 1996 but lost the right to the high-profile slot during the pandemic, when Bahrain solidified its hold on round 1.

The wider context

On a related note, the European part of the campaign is to be decided, with two new rounds set to be inserted into the schedule.

Going deeper, Australia returned to the position in 2025 and 2026 due to the timing of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, preventing competition from taking place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia for most of March.

On the substance, Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K.

Beyond the headlines, However, with the lunar-based Ramadan shifting mostly into February next year, Bahrain will be available to resume season-opening duties, with the 2027 campaign expected to get underway on 14 March.

More precisely, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will follow on the subsequent weekend, as it has since 2022.

The bottom line

• The Australian Grand Prix is expected to lose its coveted spot as the opening round of the Formula 1 season next year as construction work on new pit and paddock facilities continue at Albert Park.
• After two years of being the season curtain raiser, Melbourne is set to be bumped back in the Formula One calendar in 2027.
• A potential shake-up to the F1 calendar could see the Australian Grand Prix lose its coveted position as the season-opening race for 2027.