The word in the Melbourne paddock hints at Albert Park's highly likely return as the first event of the Formula 1 calendar for the Formula 1 season in 2025.
In recent times, Bahrain has more often taken the spotlight as the sport's initial race, doubling as the venue for pre-season testing as a logistical bonus. This year, it was scheduled alongside the Saudi Arabian GP to precede the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic period of fasting and prayer.
Yet, with Ramadan beginning towards the end of February next year, the logistics favor reinstating Australia as the 2025 season's inaugural race.
Erik van Haren, a correspondent for De Telegraaf, reports from Melbourne about whispers that Bahrain might still hold pre-season testing a couple of weeks prior to the Melbourne race.
"Formula 1 doesn't want to confirm the news at this time," he mentioned.
Nonetheless, indications are strong that Melbourne will secure the opening race next year. The city's contract, extending through 2035 with F1, guarantees that at least five of the Australian Grand Prix within the new agreement period will serve as the season's first race.
Moreover, the Adelaide Motorsport Festival, gaining popularity and recently featuring prominent figures like Damon Hill, Gunther Steiner, and Valtteri Bottas, has set March 1-2, 2025, for its next event.
This scheduling positions March 7-9 as the probable date for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix's season kickoff.
"International and Australian motorsport stars will once again come to Adelaide on the weekend of March 1 and 2 in 2025, for what will be a bumper weekend of on-track action and off-track activities," announced the organizers of the Adelaide Motorsport Festival.
