Formula 1 are reportedly poised to move the Australian Grand Prix to the third race of 2027, with Bahrain set to be reinstated as the season opener.
The Melbourne GP, the regular curtain raiser from 1995 to 2019, has also hosted Round 1 for the last two years.
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However, the first race was only taken away from Bahrain in 2024 due to Ramadan — which will not be a consideration in 2027 as it ends one week before the season gets underway on March 14.
According to Planet F1, Bahrain will reclaim its spot as the first race of the year — a logical decision given it is where pre-season testing takes place.
It means Melbourne is expected to become the third race of 2027 on April 4 after Saudi Arabia.
Following the Aussie GP, the teams are set to head to China and Japan, before the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix in May.
Last week, the return of the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul was confirmed as Formula 1 penned a five-year deal that will run until 2031.
Meanwhile, this weekend sees the return of the 2026 season in Miami after a five-week hiatus.
The drivers have not competed since the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 because of the removal of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship by nine points from teammate George Russell after the Italian won two of the first three races.
Oscar Piastri, who did not complete a lap in Melbourne or China, bounced back with an impressive second place in Suzuka.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris and four-time winner Max Verstappen are yet to appear on the podium.
