Island GP cancelled

UPDATED: 3pm, Tuesday, July 6.

The state government announced today that the 2021 Australian MotoGP on Phillip Island has been cancelled.

The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix will also not take place as planned.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said the decision was due to the ongoing effects of the global pandemic – including a slower than forecast rollout of the Commonwealth vaccination program and subsequent caps to international traveller intake.

The MotoGP at Phillip Island had been scheduled for October 24 and the Albert Park Formula 1 race for November 21, but the sports’ governing bodies required assurances this week that the events could proceed.

Mr Pakula said given the lower than expected vaccination rates and the impact of the National Cabinet decision, those assurances could not be provided within that time frame.

“It’s very disappointing that these much-loved events can’t proceed but this is the reality of the pandemic – but until we get much higher vaccination rates we cannot return to more normal settings.

“We are getting to work on plans for 2022 immediately and can’t wait to welcome the world’s best drivers and riders and all motorsport fans back to Albert Park and Phillip Island.”

He said the government understood the need for Formula 1 management and MotoGP controller Dorna Sports to confirm their schedules and the decision not to proceed in 2021 was mutually agreed with those bodies.

Planning will begin immediately for the return of the iconic international events in 2022.

Mr Pakula said the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Australian MotoGP are much-loved fixtures on Victoria’s renowned events calendar, attracting thousands of fans to Albert Park and Phillip Island respectively and showcasing the state to a global audience of tens of millions of people.

The loss of the MotoGP for a second year will be a massive blow for the Phillip Island economy.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has been approached for comment.