P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A contract clause looks set to pave the way for the Australian GP in Melbourne to start the 2025 F1 campaign
The Australian Grand Prix is set to open the 2025 Formula 1 season, while CEO Stefano Domenicali is considering the challenges posed by Ramadan in March 2025. F1 has the opportunity to move the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs to March 2 and 9, but with Ramadan starting on March 1 in 2025, the calendar poses a conflict. The solution may lie in honoring the clause in the 10-year contract extension for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, granting them the opening race slot. The 2025 season’s cars will likely be a continuation of the current season’s machinery, with new power unit regulations set for 2026. As a result, pre-season testing and the Australian Grand Prix could potentially take place in late February to early March, allowing for a jam-packed schedule through April and May. The challenge for F1 rests in finding suitable dates for the Japanese and Chinese Grands Prix after the Australian round, facing potential weather issues in those regions.
