A dark cloud hangs over Formula One as the category reaches its most highly-anticipated year in generations.

Newcastle’s triumphant return to the Supercars calendar has been delayed due to Covid-19 concerns, with the Sydney SuperNight set to replace the Newcastle 500 as the opening event of the season.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton must wait two more months for motorsport chiefs to reveal the results of their inquiry into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where the Dutchman clinched the 2021 world title.

Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future still remains unclear with just 69 days to go until the 2022 season begins as the FIA’s investigation into the how the 2021 season ended now thought to be key in his decision making.