Vintage car with the number 14 being hoisted by a crane, with a man in a white coat standing nearby.

Every year, the streets of Melbourne come to life for one remarkable event. The sounds of screeching tyres, the stars lining the streets, and the buzz of excitement in the air can only mean one thing: the Formula 1 (F1) Australian Grand Prix is upon us again.

However, the Australian Grand Prix wasn’t always a fixture in elite motorsports. So, how did it become the internationally renowned spectacle we know today? From its humble beginnings to the exciting moments ahead, here’s everything you need to know about the past, present, and future of the Australian Grand Prix.

The Past: From Pre-War to Formula 1

In 1928, the first-ever Australian Grand Prix took place as part of the 100 Miles Road Race on Phillip Island, Victoria. Roughly a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit hosted several other races over the following decade. The final race was held in 1939, just before the start of World War II.

In the wake of the war, it took time for the Australian Grand Prix to resume. In 1947, the first post-war Grand Prix was hosted at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales. In the subsequent decades, the location of the race changed many times, with drivers and spectators travelling around the country, from Queensland to Western Australia to South Australia.

Here, the Australian Grand Prix saw one of its most pivotal moments: joining the F1 World Championship. From 1985 to 1995, the F1 Australian Grand Prix was held at the Adelaide Street Circuit. While the course was notoriously tricky — with its tight turns winding through inner-city streets — it became a quick favourite among drivers. As it was the final race of the season, many drivers saw Adelaide as the place where they could finally relax and celebrate their achievements.

However, when the 1993 South Australia state election came around, neither primary candidate committed to renewing the contract. This meant the Victorian Government could swoop in and claim the event as its own — which is exactly what happened. Since 1996, the Australian Grand Prix has taken place at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.

The Australian Grand Prix’s Biggest Moments in History

With nearly 100 years of history, the Australian Grand Prix has been the backdrop for some of the biggest moments in racing. Here are a few of the most unforgettable:

  • Senna Wins His Final Grand Prix: A fan favourite, Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna claimed his 41st Grand Prix victory at the 1993 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. The race was already emotional for Senna and his fans as it was his last driving for McLaren. Sadly, the win became even more historic as it was Senna’s last before his tragic death in 1994.
  • Schumacher Collides with Hill: In 1994, the Australian Grand Prix was the race that would determine the world champion in both the driver and constructor categories. Frontrunner Michael Schumacher veered off the course and brushed against the barrier, allowing competitor Damon Hill to get ahead. However, as he did, Schumacher turned back onto the course, colliding with Hill’s car. Both cars were retired, meaning Schumacher secured the championship victory. To this day, the crash is one of the most remembered in F1 history as many have speculated that Schumacher caused it intentionally.
  • Hamilton Makes His Debut: In 2007, a fresh-faced 22-year-old named Lewis Hamilton made his first-ever F1 appearance at the Australian Grand Prix. While it was an impressive debut (with Hamilton placing third), few could have expected just how big an impact he would have on the sport.
  • Carlos Sainz Wins After Surgery: The 2024 F1 season got off to a rocky start for Ferrari’s Sergio Perez, who was forced to pull out of the first race due to appendicitis. Sixteen days after surgery, he made his first appearance at the Australian Grand Prix — and claimed the top spot on the podium. The remarkable victory marked Sainz’s third Grand Prix win and his first in Australia.
Excited crowd at the Australian Grand Prix, waving flags, including an Australian flag, with city buildings and palm trees in the background.

The Present: A Beloved Fixture in Australian Sports

A sport-loving nation, Australia has taken to F1 racing with the same enthusiasm as AFL and cricket.

Specifically, the Australian Grand Prix has attracted some of the largest crowds in the league’s history. The most attended F1 Grand Prix was the 1995 Australian Grand Prix, which attracted roughly 520,000 spectators.

While it’s been 30 years since then, Aussies’ interest in the sport hasn’t waned. The 2024 sold-out edition of the Australian Grand Prix saw a turnout of more than 450,000. This made it the most-attended sporting event in Melbourne and the third most-attended Grand Prix in the history of F1.

Looking ahead to the 2025 F1 season, this year’s Australian Grand Prix will likely shatter attendance records again. Not only did tickets sell out in less than an hour, but organisers reportedly increased the event capacity to accommodate the demand.

The race, which will kick off the 2025 season, is set to take place from 13-16 March.

Albert Park Circuit: The Ins and Outs of the Course

Located in the heart of Melbourne, Albert Park Circuit surrounds Albert Park Lake, measuring roughly 5.2km in length. Because the course features roads typically used by the public, it’s relatively flat and smooth. It also features 14 corners, which are typically placed in the same spots each year. As a result, it’s widely considered to be one of the easier courses to drive.

However, Albert Park isn’t without its challenges. Because it doesn’t have many true straits, drivers have fewer opportunities to overtake and pass one another.

“Albert Park is not the easiest circuit to overtake on. We’ve done our best, but the straightaways are not long enough and [a lot] of the turns leading up to them are at a sharp 90-degree angle. This complicates passing other cars quite a lot,” said Max Verstappen of the course in 2018. To address these concerns, event coordinators have adjusted the course slightly in recent years. Some of these changes have included wider turns, a wider pit lane, and the introduction of a 1.3km-long strait.

Split view of a relaxing crowd near Melbourne’s skyline and a child climbing a rock wall at the Australian Grand Prix.

What’s On: A Guide to the Australian Grand Prix Events & Activities

At the Australian Grand Prix, there’s nearly as much excitement off the track as there is on.

If you’re keen to get a selfie with your favourite driver, Melbourne Walk is the place to do it. Located inside the Fan Zone, Melbourne Walk is the path the drivers, constructors, and other participants use to access the F1 Paddock.

For those bringing the kids, Pit Stop Park is a must-visit. Here you’ll find endless entertainment for the whole family, from toddlers to teenagers. In past years, featured activities have included climbing walls, inflatable slides, and more.

M-Lane and Legends Lane are another two attractions you can’t miss. M-Lane features an incredible lineup of live music performances, art displays, and food vendors. Meanwhile, Legends Lane is brimming with vintage cars and brand activations — perfect for those insatiable motorsport fans.

Beyond Albert Park, there’s a whole city ready for you to explore. Hailed as Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne is home to some of its best bars, cafés, museums, and galleries. Learn more via Visit Victoria.

The Future: More Races to Come in Melbourne

The future of the Australian Grand Prix is looking brighter and more exciting than ever.

Firstly, the 2025 season marks its return as the opening race. In 2019, Bahrain took over as the first stop of the season due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, Melbourne will reclaim its position in the lineup this year, with drivers subsequently heading to China, Japan, and then the Middle East.

Melbourne will also remain the host of the Australian Grand Prix for at least the next decade. In 2022, Formula 1 President & CEO Stefano Domenicali announced that an agreement had been reached with government officials to keep the city on the roster 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,” he said.

There are also exciting feats that have yet to be achieved at the Australian Grand Prix. One of the most thrilling is the prospect of an Aussie driver claiming a spot on the podium. Although Daniel Ricciardo originally placed second at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix, he was later stripped of the position when officials discovered that his car exceeded the maximum fuel flow limit allowed during the race. Now, many eyes are fixed on Oscar Piastri to hopefully break the curse in 2025.