The vibrant Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne will continue to be the home of the Australian GP
The Australian Grand Prix will remain in Melbourne until 2035, following a deal to extend the race’s agreement beyond 2025 by a further 10 years. In addition, Formula 2 and Formula 3 will join the race weekend schedule for the first time from 2023.
Albert Park has hosted the Australian Grand Prix since 1996, with significant investment made over the past two years to improve the circuit, fan experience, and facilities – while further improvements, including to the paddock and pit lane, are planned to continue the circuit’s modernization.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “I am delighted to confirm that Melbourne and the Albert Park circuit will continue to be on the Formula 1 calendar until 2035. 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.”
Andrew Westacott, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, said: “This is a sensational announcement that is simply great for Melbourne and Victoria. It builds on our rich motor sport history as well as Melbourne’s love of big sporting events and provides aspiration to the next generation of Aussie racing stars.“
He further added, “We’re proud of our strong relationship with Formula 1 and together we will grow the sport in Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Everyone at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation looks forward to taking the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix to new levels over the course of the next 13 years.”
The Australian GP witnessed a record-breaking attendance in 2022
Australia’s contract extension comes off the back of a record-breaking 419,000-strong crowd at this year’s Grand Prix, the first Down Under since the pandemic.
It was the biggest ever attendance for a Grand Prix in Melbourne and the biggest crowd at a Formula 1 weekend anywhere in the world in almost three decades, eclipsed only by the 520,000 people who attended Adelaide’s swan song race in 1995.
The Australian Grand Prix’s popularity reflects the sport’s significant boost in global popularity in recent years, attributable to the hit Drive to Survive series and last year’s nail biting championship season decided on the final lap of the last race.
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