I am also not a motor sports fan but from the little I've read, GP drivers (and supports) didn't want to spend a fortnight in quarantine, so that apparently played a part in the 'no go'.
Yes with their schedule they simply do not have the time to do it. That plus that a
fly-in, fly-out arrangement with a biosecurity hub set up for drivers, team officials and staff, was not acceptable to the Victorian Government
Race organisers had asked the Victorian government for a fly-in, fly-out arrangement with a biosecurity hub set up for drivers, team officials and staff, to avoid the mandatory 14-day quarantine period that would rule them out of another race.
Given the quick turnaround between races on the F1 calendar, drivers also racing in the preceding Brazilian Grand Prix – which takes place on 7 November – would be unable to complete the required period of quarantine in time to take part in Melbourne two weekends later.
Now come next April (the likely date now for 2022 Melbourne GP) as most Australians will have had the opportunity to have been vaccinated the arrangements could be quite feasible.
ie You would imagine it be something like all
drivers, team officials and staff, would need to have been vaccinated, combined with a test regime.
With the AO as it is late Jan 2022 they will most likely need something stricter than for the 2022 GP. However rather than the 14 Day HQ type model mainly used last time I believe it will be more like:
Players and their support staff/entourage:
- to be vaccinated
- to have a testing regime
- everyone to arrive more than 14 days prior and live and play in a combine bubble which includes the warm-up tournaments that the players need in order to be at their best for the AO.
www.cdc.gov
