Melbourne to host Formula One Australian Grand Prix until 2035

Melbourne will host the Formula One Australian Grand Prix until at least 2035 – a contract extension of 10 years with the current agreement originally set to expire in 2025. 

Formula One has also announced that Formula Two and Formula Three will be added to the schedule for the first time from 2023.

The Australian GP was cancelled for two years running due to the pandemic, however returned to Albert Park in April this year. During the two years significant upgrades were made to the track to enable for additional overtaking opportunities and faster racing. 

When the event returned this year, more than 419,000 patrons attended – the largest crowd ever recorded for a weekend sporting event in Australia.

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."

Australian ace Daniel Ricciardo has been flying the flag in the main game since 2014 and currently races alongside Lando Norris with the McLaren racing team.

Additional Aussie youngsters lie in wait, with 21-year-old Oscar Piastri on the rise after already winning three junior championships.

Piastri is currently a reserve driver for both Alpine and McLaren, with recent links forming with Williams, as speculation rises that the young ace will replace Nicholas Latifi on the grid from as soon as the next month. 

Jack Doohan, the son of former motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, is currently competing in the Formula Two Championship with Virtuosi Racing.

There's no indication as to whether Melbourne will return as the F1 season opener, as was the case prior to the pandemic, with this year's GP season instead kicking off in Bahrain. 

The schedule for 2023 is yet to be announced, however it will reportedly include as many as 24 events.