Melbourne is set for a bumper first week of April next year after Formula One’s governing body moved the Australian Grand Prix back three weeks that will put the race back in competition with the AFL season.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council on Friday in Mexico City released a provisional 2016 calendar, with the Australian GP at Albert Park to again open an expanded 21-race season.
However, the proposed date of the race is April 4, a bit later than this year’s edition held on March 15.
The AFL season kicked off later than usual in the first week of April this year due to the cricket World Cup being staged in Australia that needed some grounds AFL teams also use, including the final at the MCG on March 29.
The F1 season will feature a record 21 races, with Azerbaijan hosting one for the first time on July 17.
Abu Dhabi would host the final race on November 27 while Germany is due to return to the fold on July 31 after abruptly dropping out of the 2015 schedule.