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Formula 1: Australian Grand Prix confirmed as 2020 season opener

By Asher Fair

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF90 leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the (5) Scuderia Ferrari SF90 leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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The Australian Grand Prix has been confirmed as the 2020 Formula 1 season opener, marking its 23rd season as the Formula 1 season opener in 25 years.

The Australian Grand Prix is set to serve as the season opener once again in the 2020 Formula 1 season, as the race at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit has retained its usual position at the top of the schedule.

This race is scheduled to kick off the 2020 season on Sunday, March 15, with the race weekend officially scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 12 and on-track activity scheduled to begin on Friday, March 13 with the first practice session of the season.

Here is what Formula 1 chairman and CEO Chase Carey had to say about the matter, according to Motorsport.

"“We are pleased to announce that, as has been the case for many years now, the next FIA Formula 1 World Championship season will get underway in Melbourne. The Albert Park circuit is one of the most popular venues on the calendar, much appreciated by everyone who works in Formula 1. The enthusiastic reception from the Australian fans makes this round really unique and special.“There can be no better place to start the 2020 season, which will be significant as the sport will celebrate its 70th anniversary. We are also pleased that Rolex, who have been one of our Global Partners for many years, will continue to be the title sponsor of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix.”"

Here is what Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott had to say about the matter, according to Motorsport.

"“Hosting Melbourne’s 25th Formula 1 race conjures excitement and interest, and as they said back in 1996, ‘Melbourne – what a great place for the race!’ We’ve got the largest on-track programme of any Formula 1 event in the world and combined with the amount and quality of off-track entertainment, there’s something for all and it’s an event that simply must be experienced.”"

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The 58-lap race around the 16-turn, 3.296-mile (5.304-kilometer) Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit road course in Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia has been the season opener in each of the last nine seasons going back to the 2011 season.

The last time the Australian Grand Prix was not the season opener was the 2010 season, when the Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit served as the season opener and the Australian Grand Prix was the second race.

Introduced to the schedule ahead of the 1996 season, the Australian Grand Prix has been on the calendar in each of the last 24 seasons, and the only other season during which it did not serve as the season opener was the 2006 season.

The Bahrain Grand Prix served as the 2010 season opener as well and the Australian Grand Prix was the third race on the schedule following this race and the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit.

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There are still 12 races remaining on the 21-race 2019 Formula 1 schedule before the 2020 season gets underway. The first of these 12 races, the British Grand Prix, is scheduled to take place next Sunday, July 14 at Silverstone Circuit, and it is set to be broadcast live on ESPN2 beginning at 9:10 a.m. ET.

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