Formula One stars are warned they WILL need to be vaccinated to drive at the Australian Grand Prix

Formula One drivers including superstar Lewis Hamilton have been warned they will not be allowed to compete in the Australian Grand Prix if they are not vaccinated.

The Australian Grand Prix is usually the season-opener, but will be third on the 2022 calendar due to planning amid Covid restrictions.

Officials will be keen to avoid a repeat of the controversial and incredibly public saga surrounding Novak Djokovic’s cancelled visa.

Lewis Hamilton and his fellow F1 drivers have been warned they must be vaccinated to compete at the Australian Grand Prix

The world number one was deported from Melbourne after his entry into the country was revoked ahead of the Australian Open. 

Chief Justice James Allsop, Justice Anthony Besanko and Justice David O’Callaghan unanimously decided Djokovic did not have grounds to dispute Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s deportation order.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ in the outcome of the case, but that he ‘respected’ the court’s decision and would co-operate with authorities.

Novak Djokovic was deported from Melbourne after his entry into the country was revoked 

The Australian Grand Prix authorities have already told F1 drivers that they will not be allowed to compete if they are not vaccinated, according to the Mirror.

Race chief executive Andrew Westacott insisted that rules are clear and all racers and staff must be fully jabbed to attend.

‘The rules are simple to get into the country and the rules are simple to operate in Formula One,’ Westacott said. 

‘To come into the event you’ll be 100 per cent vaccinated and there won’t be an exemption sought for anyone from anyone.

Australian Grand Prix authorities have revealed there will be no exemptions for anyone

‘Our arrangements have been in place well before the recent goings-on at the Australian Open. 

‘These rules are understood by Formula One, they’re understood by the FIA, they’re going to be written into the sporting regulations and I’m very confident that (it) is just going to be a rite of passage to come into the country.

‘There’s zero tolerance. Whether you’re Lewis Hamilton or Valentino Rossi in MotoGP, if you test positive, you don’t race that weekend.’

Hamilton is understood to be fully vaccinated against Covid and has repeatedly urged fans to get jabbed.

Although there is still ongoing speculation that Lewis Hamilton could retire from racing and set for a career in Hollywood, after the Mercedes driver continues to remain quiet ever since his controversial defeat to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.

Speculation is still surrounding Hamilton’s future after defeat to Max Verstappen (right)

Hamilton saw what would have been a record-breaking eighth crown slip through his fingertips at the Yas Marina circuit on the final day of the 2021 F1 racing season.

FIA race director Michael Masi made the decision to set-up a final lap showdown between both Hamilton and Verstappen following a late safety car, which saw the lapped cars cleared.

The controversial move meant Verstappen clinched his first ever World title, and despite Hamilton’s post match interview, the Brit hasn’t been heard since.