The world is currently facing uncertain times with a global pandemic infecting the planet. A consequence of this is that motorsport is facing unprecedented circumstances which are constantly evolving and rapidly changing. While it was disappointing to only see Thursday of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix due to its cancellation, the right decision was made. There are much more important, prevailing issues at hand. 
    The Australian Grand Prix (AGP) isn't the only cancellation. Subsequent GP's have been cancelled or postponed. F1, optimistically, is delaying the start of the season until early June. They have moved the traditional August Summer break forward and have enforced a mandatory 3 week shutdown. Nevertheless, they are instigating a virtual series to help fill the void. The series will feature a number of F1 drivers plus some celebrities, based on the official 2019 PC game and be contested from the comfort of each combatant's home. The first event, the Bahrain Virtual GP is tomorrow morning Australian time.
    Australia's premier category, Supercars is also enduring a hiatus from track action. Supercars have also launched an eSeries which they hope will feature a full grid with all the current drivers. Interesting thing is, not all the drivers have embraced the world of simulators. Intriguing to see who'll come out on top. 
    With all that is going on, has anyone remembered that Holden are ceasing production of right hand driven vehicles at end of financial year? Holden ceased local production years ago, therefore late model Holdens are imported from Asia. Citing plummeting sales figures because of a trend towards compact SUV's, parent company General Motors just couldn't justify continuing to supply a small, fractured market. What does this mean for Supercars? We thought when Ford launched the Mustang to replace the Falcon, that soon we would soon see General Motors launch Chevrolet Camaro's to Supercars to replace the Holden Commodore. However, a telling factor which dispels that theory is that General Motors are also pulling Chevrolet out of Thailand by selling one of Asia's biggest car manufacturing facility's to Great Wall. 
    There's currently speculation that some of this year's Supercar Holden teams may run their current car next year unbadged.  Surely this is only a short term solution. Is there now a window of opportunity for new manufacturer/s to enter Supercars? One prominent team principle has already stated that they are already talking to a number of manufacturers, as they don't want to be seen to be promoting a brand that can't be purchased and is effectively obsolete.
    With racing currently suspended, we certainly hope some normality returns before October's Bathurst 1000. Punters deserve a final showdown of the Ford vs Holden rivalry across Mt Panorama and give Holden a fitting farewell. Then sadly, the Holden lion roars no more. Holden fans really do bleed red.
        

    A year from now we'll be marvelling at the new Formula One cars and debating the new rules and regulations.  Modern, sleek charges with a return to ground effect principles, low profile tyres hugging 18" rims and optimised aerodynamics with a view to enabling a pursuing car to follow closer to a rival. Launch season and pre-season testing will be consigned to history. The cost cap will be in operation coupled with a more equitable distribution of prize money. We may also be about to savour a new weekend format. 
    Wait a moment! Time to wave the red flag. There's the little business of the 2020 Formula One season to navigate first. Largely unchanged, stable rules from last year usually results in the gaps between the teams narrowing. The law of diminishing returns, especially on the power unit side, normally fosters closer racing. Most cars are evolution's from the previous year. While it's difficult to draw conclusions from pre-season testing, we did notice, minus a few hiccups, that reliability was high as all teams completed a lot of laps, and that the times weren't that extreme from each other.
    So what does this mean as the 2020 season commences in a week at photogenic Albert Park in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix (AGP)? Will Mercedes waltz away with another victory en route to another championship, or are we in for a classic season where any number of combatants can frequent the top step of the podium? The younger generation of drivers coming through are exciting to say the least. Can Red Bull's Max Verstappen or Ferrari's Charles Le Clerc mount a serious title challenge? Will we see McLaren through their young chargers of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris continue to improve in their quest to get back to the front of the grid? Will exciting hotshoe George Russell propel Williams back into the midfield? We'll certainly be hopeful of a Renault resurgence to put Australian Daniel Ricciardo back on the podium. Last year's AGP for Ricciardo was inauspicious to say the least. 
    F1 is ably supported at the AGP by Supercars and Porsche Carrera Cup, both contesting championship rounds. The global category for touring cars, TCR, is making its Albert Park debut. Finally, but certainly not least, S5000 is commencing its first championship round. S5000 is a modern day twist on the old F5000 open wheel category of the 1970's. Retired F1 legends and fan faves Rubens Barrichello and Giancarlo Fisichella are returning to Albert Park to contest the S5000's. There's a massive music festival in the park precinct to delight the punters, a Speed Comparison featuring a 2-Seater Minardi F1 car, and as usual the Royal Australian Air Force will take to the skies overhead.
    Let's hope this year's AGP yields the start of a closely fought F1 campaign. See you at Albert Park....