Australian Grand Prix

The 2024 Australian Grand Prix will run from March 22-24, 2024, in Melbourne Australia.

22 March – Free Practice 1 & 2
23 March – Free Practice 3 & Qualifying
24 March – Race

Note: On 21 March there is on-track action with the support categories featuring, but there are no Formula 1 on-track sessions.

2024 Australian Grand Prix tickets start at $31 USD for a General Admission ticket to the Friday practice sessions, and go all the way up to $6260 USD for the Red Bull Racing Paddock Club Suite.

If your pockets aren’t that deep, the AusGP Park Pass general admission provides entry to all four days for $126 USD.

Grandstand tickets range from $219-$362 USD for the four days, and corporate boxes are also available for purchase.

We recommend visiting GPticketshop for Australian Grand Prix tickets.

If you’re in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports has the exclusive live broadcasting rights to F1, with the 2023 Australian Grand Prix race shown live on Sky Sports F1.

If you’re in the USA, ESPN has live broadcasting rights to F1, and will show the 2023 Australian Grand Prix live.

For other countries, visit F1 TV to see if it is available in your region.

The Australian Grand Prix circuit is located at Albert Park Lake, just a few kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.

The circuit was first opened in November 1953, and was re-opened on 7 March 1996, when the Australian Grand Prix returned to Melbourne, having previously been held in Adelaide.

The Albert Park circuit has an FIA Grade 1 licence, and is a true street circuit, with the entirety of the track open to the public on non-race days.

The race lap record is held by Michael Schumacher who set a time of 1:24.125 in his Ferrari F2004 in the 2004 Australian Grand Prix.

The all-time lap record was set during qualifying for the 2019 Australian Grand Prix by Lewis Hamilton, with a time of 1:20.486 in the Mercedes AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+.

The best way to get to the 2024 Australian Grand Prix is on the vast public transport network of trains, trams, and buses.

More detailed train, tram and bus information is available by visiting ptv.vic.gov.au or calling 1800 800 007.

There are free shuttle services from the CBD to the track, which are free for ticket holders.

The Light Rail GP Express leaves from Spencer Street (at the corner of Collins Street) and takes patrons to Gates 1 & 2.

The Clarendon Street GP Express also leaves from the same location as the Light Rail GP Express, but drops patrons at Gate 3.

The St Kilda Road GP Shuttle leaves from Swanston Street, outside Federation Square, and takes patrons to Gates 5, 8, 9, and 10.

There is no car parking available at the Albert Park Circuit, so patrons are advised to park in the Melbourne CBD and take a free shuttle to the track.

Alternatively, Uber can be used via the UberZONE’s at Gate 1 and Gate 10, or via the Uber access points at Gates 2, 3, and 5.

2023 World Champion Max Verstappen is the early favourite to take out the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.

You can bet on individual races throughout the 2024 Formula 1 season, the qualifying head-to-head battle, and the Driver’s and Constructor’s Championships at Bet US (Get a 125% sign up bonus with code JOIN125 here: https://bit.ly/3JJauym).

A lot of controversies hid behind the curtains of the decision to hold a circuit race in Melbourne.

It was in the year 1993 when a distinguished businessman in Melbourne—Ron Walker, set his heart on making Melbourne the host of a racing event. He started working with the Kennett government to make this event happen. However, the issues only began to arise when it was found out that Jeff Kennett spent a considerable sum of money to secure the event.

A few days after the 1993 South Australian election, the decision to hold the race at a rebuilt park in Melbourne was announced— Albert Park. (The race was then shifted to Melbourne in 1996.) The Albert Park circuit was rebuilt by that time to serve as the track for the Australian Grand Prix. Nevertheless, this decision sparked a lot of controversy and raised a lot of questions. Protests were held by the “Save Albert Park” group to make known their concern. They said that the Grand Prix was only going to be a waste of resources, furthermore stating that the budget allocated for it could go to much better causes than motor racing. The group even added that the projected economic benefits of the Grand Prix were just fabricated and exaggerated.

To counter these statements, the government together with the race organisers released a statement saying that although immeasurable during the moment, the benefits would greatly outweigh the expenses. They even emphasised the improvements of the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, situated at Albert Park. The controversy continued as the opponents of the said event pointed out that the Aquatic Centre would be of no value to the Grand Prix, adding that even without the race, the centre would still be built.

In spite of all the controversies, Albert Park eventually became the home of Melbourne’s Australian Grand Prix. It became well-known among Formula One teams and drivers for its smoothness and high-speed corners. The 16-turn circuit measures 5.3 kilometres long at present. According to enthusiasts, it looks very much like one other street circuit set up in a public park—the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal—host of the Canadian Grand Prix.

From 1985-1995, Adelaide served as host to the Australian Grand Prix. But in 1996, the deal of giving the Victorian capital a chance to host such an event didn’t even take 10 minutes to seal. This was according to Bernie Ecclestone—president of the Formula One Management (the group responsible for promoting the FIA Formula One World Championship) at the time.

But what could be the reason behind Melbourne’s strong urge to host the Australian Grand Prix? Some people say it was because of their failure to win in a bid to host the 1996 Olympic Games. That, and Sydney’s successful bid to host the 2000 Summer Olympics.

From 1985-1995, for every event in the Formula One calendar, the Australian Grand Prix would usually be the last event. But from 1996 until the outbreak of Covid, the race was the first event on the Formula 1 calendar.

“Melbourne – What a Great Place for the Race” was a great way to welcome the first race held in Melbourne. A record was set for the event when 401,000 people came to witness the spectacular 1996 race. Contrary to the beliefs of the opponents that the budget allocated for the event would go to waste, it instead contributed greatly to the economy as a lot of international visitors flew in. An award was presented to Melbourne by the F1 Constructors’ Association—Best Organised Grand Prix of the Year—for two consecutive years, 1996 and 1997. This all became possible because of the masterminding of housing and hosting an event with the magnitude of a Formula One Grand Prix.

1996 – The first race held at the Albert Park gained attention globally after Martin Brundle launched his car into the air right on the first lap. Brundle was involved in a massive accident but that didn’t stop him from rushing back to the pits to restart in a spare car. Brundle’s infamous crash has since made the first Melbourne Grand Prix unforgettable.

The Australian Grand Prix is the only F1 race staged in a city park. The downside to this is the problem with minimal natural elevation, making it hard to catch the action from general admission areas.

But, included in the list of benefits you get from watching at this venue would be a refreshing ambience provided by shady trees, lush green areas, and established walkways.

If you want to experience the best of the Australian Grand Prix, you’ll probably want to read ahead for recommendations on the perfect place to watch.

Turns 1 & 2

Where you’ll be able to witness the first lap of the race. You’ll even get a chance to see some live action as the cars overtake, this is also the point where cars get back to action after pit stops.

Start-Finish Straight

Where the heart of the action is. Also closest to the drinks and food stations right behind the grandstand. So while your eyes feast on the action, let your stomach feast on the best off-track food and drinks.

Turn 15

For photographers who wish to take close-up photos, turn 15 is your best shot as it is the slowest corner in the race.

Formula 1 Paddock Club

Privileged viewing that comes with quite a price but offers a premium experience.

One of the well-known reasons for visiting Melbourne is the Australian Grand Prix. Besides having an action-packed event calendar all year round, the mood only gets better when the Formula 1 circus is in town. This modern city hosts many of the country’s best sporting events, isn’t that reason enough to go?

Families, friends, just about anybody can come to Melbourne and enjoy unlimited fun. Enjoy post-race music concerts, car displays, rider stunts, entertainers, competitions all throughout this fun-filled weekend. Quite a number of restaurants and bars can also be found nearby. What else? Did we forget to mention the beach and the near-perfect weather just as the race usually happens by the start of autumn?

If you think that’s all there is, you’re probably wrong. The race is held on a Sunday and although it may be the main event, the weekend starts on a Thursday for a lot of enthusiasts keen to see the support categories. This is where you get to witness Supercar demonstrations and a number of other track events, before Free Practice and Qualifying on the Friday and Saturday.

If that doesn’t convince you yet, just consider the thought of being part of one of the most prestigious events on the Formula 1 calendar. It’s one experience you’ll be sure to never forget.