Grand Prix Organisers' Appeal Over Robbie Williams Concert Cancellation Fails

Australian Grand Prix organisers have failed to overturn a $2.84 million compensation order to a music promoter over a COVID-era Robbie Williams concert cancellation.

The concert was due to go ahead as part of the 2020 F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne but was cancelled due to COVID on the eve of the event. Live music promoter World Touring Melbourne successfully sued Grand Prix organisers in 2024 over a breach of contract.

A panel of three Court of Appeal justices backed the 2024 Victorian Supreme Court ruling today, unanimously refusing race organisers' bid to appeal.

The Formula One event at Melbourne's Albert Park in 2020 was axed hours before gates opened on March 13 due to the looming threat of COVID-19. Williams, whose discography includes Let Me Entertain You and Angels, was to perform at Lakeside Stadium the following day as part of the event, but his concert was also cancelled.

"The 2020 Australian Grand Prix was cancelled while fans were already queued at the entrance gates," a spokesperson said.

Justice Clyde Croft ruled in 2024 that event organisers had deceived promoters by claiming Victoria's then chief health officer Brett Sutton had directed the concert not to go ahead as planned, when no such advice had been given.

"Organisers had emailed World Touring Melbourne at 4:25pm on March 13, stating Dr Sutton had advised the Grand Prix needed to be cancelled or run patron-free," the ruling stated.

"But the former CHO had actually texted Grand Prix officials earlier that day to say while he supported the decision to cancel the Williams concert, it was ultimately up to the organisers," the court heard.

The judge ordered the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to pay $2.84 million in damages to World Touring Melbourne for loss of earnings.

Other events, including National Rugby League fixtures and a concert at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl, continued that weekend.