Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix hosted by Melbourne until 2035
Melbourne will host the Australian Grand Prix until 2035, in a new deal that will also see Formula 2 and Formula 3 added to the championship calendar for the first time next year, the Formula One world championship and local organizers said yesterday.
The current race at Albert Park was due to expire in 2025 and Sydney has expressed an interest in hosting it.
Melbourne joined the racing calendar in 1996, replacing Adelaide, and will complete the Formula 1 championship for nearly 40 years by the end of the new decade.
More than 419,000 spectators turned out for this year's race in April, the biggest crowd Australia has ever seen for a sporting event.
The race, which did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marked the season opener but finished third in this year's schedule.
The race is not expected to return to the season opener with Bahrain taking that place, although Australian Grand Prix boss Andrew Westcott told Reuters in April he wanted the race to be held early in the season.
Stefano Domenicali, chief executive of the World Championships, said the race had always been a favorite of fans, drivers and teams.
"Melbourne is a wonderful, vibrant international city and a perfect match for our sport."
The maintenance lane and facilities will be upgraded as part of the new contract.
Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news