Any lingering hope of Sydney hosting motorsport’s global circus was dashed back in June after the Formula 1 renewed its Australian Grand Prix contract with Melbourne in a big way. Now, to add insult to injury, the agreement was extended by another two years due to a scheduling clash with Ramadan, restoring the event’s status as the season opener for 2024 and 2025 in the process.
The current deal between Formula 1 and the Victorian capital was due to expire in 2025. This latest agreement, however, effectively binds the Australian Grand Prix to Melbourne for another 12 years. Fun fact: the arrival of 2035 will officially mark 40 years of F1 glory at Albert Park, having initially swiped the honour from South Australia circa1996.
“I am delighted to confirm that Melbourne and the Albert Park circuit will continue to be on the Formula 1 calendar until 2035,” F1 President & CEO Stefano Domenicali previously expressed via statement.
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“The race has always been a favourite for the fans, drivers and the teams — and Melbourne is an incredible and vibrant international city that is a perfect match for our sport.”
Additionally, for the first time ever, both Formula 2 and Formula 3 events will now be included in Melbourne’s race weekend schedule.
Bruno Michel, CEO of Formula 2 and Formula 3 added: “I am extremely happy to add Melbourne to both F2 and F3 calendars from 2023.”
“It further enhances the international aspect of both our championships, having them race on a new continent.”
“It also shows that more and more circuits believe that F2 and F3 are an added value to the Formula 1 Grand Prix experience, showcasing the next generation of drivers.”
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It’s rather unsurprising that the Formula 1 has so readily committed to Melbourne for another decade given how this year’s estimated attendance swelled to a considerable 419,000 across the four days — the largest crowd for a weekend sporting spectacle in Australian history.
Whether this was due to The Netflix Effect or Albert Park’s two-year absence from the race calendar thanks to COVID-19 is anyone’s guess. All we know for certain is it’s a cracking good time to be an Aussie F1 fan.
“The resounding popularity of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix for over two decades stepped up to a new level in 2022,” said Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman Paul Little.
“And the addition of F2 and F3 means that future events will continue to offer new races for fans to enjoy.”
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“This year we saw huge crowds and passionate fans at the Grand Prix, and we are very excited by the future in Australia as our sport continues to grow,” added Stefano Domenicali.
“I want to thank the Victorian Government, Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria; and Martin Pakula, Minister for Tourism, Sport, & Major Events for their tireless support for the event in Melbourne.”
“As well as Andrew Westacott and Paul Little from the AGPC for making this already long-term partnership secure for the future. We are all looking forward to being back in Melbourne next season with all our fans.”
Melbourne’s Australian Grand Prix joins an action-packed 2023 Formula 1 race calendar alongside the likes of Las Vegas and Qatar, possibly even a returning South African Grand Prix in Kyalami (contract pending).
Formula 1 Race Calendar (2023)
- February 23-25: Pre-season testing (Sakhir)
- March 5: Bahrain Grand Prix (Sakhir)
- March 19: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Jeddah)
- April 2: Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne)
- TBC: TBC (TBC)
- April 30: Azerbaijan Grand Prix (Baku)
- May 7: Miami Grand Prix (Miami)
- May 21: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix (Imola)
- May 28: Monaco Grand Prix (Monaco)
- June 4: Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona)
- June 18: Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal)
- July 2: Austrian Grand Prix (Spielberg)
- July 9: British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
- July 23: Hungarian Grand Prix (Budapest)
- July 30: Belgium Grand Prix (Spa)
- August 27: Dutch Grand Prix (Zandvoort)
- September 3: Italian Grand Prix (Monza)
- September 17: Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore)
- September 24: Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)
- October 8: Qatar Grand Prix (Lusail)
- October 22: American Grand Prix (Austin)
- October 29: Mexico Grand Prix (Mexico City)
- November 5: Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo)
- November 18: Las Vegas Grand Prix (Las Vegas)
- November 26: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)
