Racing razzmatazz in Melbourne until 2035

Article posted by Coliseum, June 23^rd, 2022

Image: Formula 1

Formula 1 recently announced that the Australian Grand Prix will stay in Melbourne until 2035. The new 10-year agreement from 2025 will also see Formula 2 and Formula 3 join the race weekend schedule for the first time ever from 2023, providing even more racing action for fans to enjoy.

The ‘F1’ stated that the 2022 Grand Prix saw over 419,000 fans visit the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Albert Park (Australia) for the race weekend, the largest crowd for a weekend sporting event in Australian history, cementing the much-loved status of the venue which has been on the Formula 1 calendar since the first race in Melbourne in 1996.

The Formula One is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

The Australian Grand Prix is an annual motor racing event which is under contract to host Formula One until 2035. It is the second oldest surviving motor racing competition held in Australia, after the Alpine rally of East Gippsland.

Formula Two, abbreviated to F2, also called Formula 2, is a type of open-wheel formula racing category first codified in 1948. It was replaced in 1985 by Formula 3000, but revived by the FIA from 2009-2012 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship.

Formula Three, also called Formula 3, abbreviated as F3, is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America, and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers.

The 125,000-capacity Albert Park Circuit is a motorsport street circuit around Albert Park Lake, three kilometers South of Central Melbourne (Australia). It is used annually as a circuit for the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, the supporting Supercars Championship Melbourne 400 and other associated support races.

The ‘F1’ further stated that over the past two years the promoter has made significant investment to upgrade the circuit and will continue to improve the overall fan experience and facilities, including the paddock and pitlane, over the coming years. This will enhance the fan experience but also modernize the facilities for the teams that will be essential for the smooth running of the event over the next decade.

The date of the Grand Prix will be confirmed in due course and once the 2023 calendar is finalized it will be subject to the World Motor Sport Council approval.

Stated Stefano Domenicali, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Formula 1, “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 favorite for the fans, drivers and the teams and Melbourne is an incredible and vibrant international City that is a perfect match for our sport. 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. I want to thank the Victorian Government, Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria, and Martin Pakula, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, for their tireless support for the event in Melbourne, as well as Andrew Westacott and Paul Little from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (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.”

Maintained Martin Pakula, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Victorian Government, “The Australian Grand Prix has never been bigger, with more than 419,000 people flocking to Albert Park for this year’s race. We know how important this event is to our economy and that’s why we’ve delivered the longest extension for the race since it has been held in Melbourne.”

Remarked Andrew Westacott, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, “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. 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 One Australian Grand Prix to new levels over the course of the next 13 years.”

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