Arabic version: تأييد تعويض لمروّج سباق الجائزة الكبرى بسبب حفل ويليامز

According to ABC News, Australian Grand Prix organisers have failed to overturn a $2.84 million compensation order awarded to music promoter World Touring Melbourne after the cancellation of a Robbie Williams concert in 2020.

A three-justice Court of Appeal panel unanimously backed a 2024 Victorian Supreme Court decision on Monday, rejecting the organisers’ appeal. The damages were awarded for loss of earnings after World Touring Melbourne successfully sued the Australian Grand Prix Corporation for breach of contract.

The Formula One event at Melbourne’s Albert Park was cancelled hours before gates opened on March 13, 2020, because of the looming COVID-19 threat. Williams had been scheduled to perform at Lakeside Stadium the next day as part of the grand prix program, but that concert was also called off.

In the 2024 ruling, Justice Clyde Croft found organisers had deceived the promoter by saying Victoria’s then chief health officer, Brett Sutton, had directed that the concert not proceed. An email sent at 4:25pm on March 13 said Dr Sutton had advised the grand prix be cancelled or run without patrons.

However, Dr Sutton had texted Grand Prix officials earlier that day saying he supported cancelling the Williams concert but that the decision was ultimately for organisers. Other events, including National Rugby League fixtures and a concert at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, continued that weekend.