Bursting with early season anticipation, the Australian Grand Prix 2024 is set to be one of the most compelling races in this year’s Formula 1 calendar.
There’s always so much excitement going into this race and it never disappoints. In this article, we explore what’s in store this year and offer a mini Australian F1 travel guide to help you make the most of your time in Melbourne.
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When is the Australian Grand Prix? 2024 dates & times
Fifty eight laps of a 3.2 mile (5.3 km) track surrounding Albert Park Lake, with speeds of more than 205 mph (330 km/h) and the best drivers in the world – it’s a recipe for excitement, and is always a favourite with viewers and drivers alike.
Fortunately there’s not long to wait as the Australian Grand Prix 2024 takes place on Sunday, 24 March at Albert Park.
Here’s a breakdown of the Australian F1 schedule over the weekend:
Friday, 22 March: Practice 1 and 2
Saturday, 23 March: Practice 3 and Qualifying
Sunday, 24 March: Race
The afternoon race will start at 3 pm local time. To put that in context for F1 fans across the globe:
United Kingdom (GMT): Race starts at 4 am on Sunday, 24 March
United States East Coast (ET): Race starts at 12 am on Sunday, 24 March
United States West Coast (PT): Race starts at 9 pm on Saturday, 23 March
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Will homegrown heroes Oscar Piastri & Daniel Ricciardo make a splash in Melbourne?
The entirety of the 2023 F1 season was dominated from start to finish by Red Bull and Max Verstappen, including a chaotic victory at Albert Park. This year, the rest of the pack will be eager to make an impact in early races like Melbourne to prevent a repeat of Red Bull’s dominance.
The all-important question is will we see an Australian victory? Strangely, since the Australian Grand Prix joined the World Championship in 1985, an Australian driver has never finished on the podium. However, as the Melbourne Grand Prix rolls into town this year, two homegrown heroes will be out to change that particular record.
Born just a stone’s throw from Albert Park, Melbourne native Oscar Piastri will be driving for McLaren – a team that showed its true power at the end of last season. With multiple podium finishes in 2023, Piastri will be the most likely to walk onto the podium in front of his local crowd.
Yet don’t overlook fellow Aussie, Daniel Ricciardo, who placed second at Albert Park in 2014, before later disqualification for a fuel technicality.
Ten years later, the Perth-born driver will be driving for Visa Cash App RB – surely a contender for one of the worst team names in F1 history! If he’s to return in 2025, the F1 veteran will have to prove he still has what it takes – and the Australian GP will be one he fancies for max points. Success at Albert Park may feel like old news for Ricciardo, but he will be as hungry as ever to perform on home turf.
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Quintessential things to do in Melbourne when the Grand Prix is on
Formula 1’s visit is undoubtedly the crowning jewel of Melbourne’s summer event calendar, yet there are so many things to do in this vibrant city besides the electrifying Grand Prix.
Whatever you plan, March is a pleasant time to visit Melbourne, with the weather often balmy and sunny yet comfortable. While extreme heat is unlikely, a rain shower or chilly breeze is common as Australia moves into autumn, so be prepared with some light jackets and layers on hand.
With that said, here’s our brief Australian F1 travel guide.
Food and drink
World-famous for its food and wine scene, the coastal capital has no shortage of dining options. We recommend the internationally celebrated Attica or Vue de Monde if haute-gastronomy is on your radar. For a more casual affair, head to Flinders Lane or the inner city outposts of Fitzroy, Richmond or South Yarra for a selection of impressive restaurants and outstanding gastropubs. Getting lost in the inner city laneways is a pleasure and you’ll always find something to tickle your tastebuds.
City exploration
Enjoy a relaxed morning by wandering the verdant Royal Botanic Gardens or intriguing National Gallery of Victoria, then explore the rest of the cosmopolitan city on foot to soak in the intoxicating sights and sounds – particularly the world-famous street art scene. Alternatively, jump on the City Circle Tram for a smooth ride around the city’s most famous landmarks.
Sporting fun
A trip to the iconic MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground – is essential for sports fans. On the Saturday evening after F1 qualifying, Melbourne FC take on Hawthorn FC in an AFL match, which is always a feast for the senses as over 60,000 fans create an energy that must be felt to be believed. Or, for a quieter MCG experience, you can enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the legendary stadium and a meander through the excellent National Sports Museum.
Wine tours
If you’re in the mood for a little enotourism, head to the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula for a tour of the local vineyards and wineries, found just an hour from the city. These beautiful regions offer stunning wines amidst scenic landscapes, with elegant Chardonnays and refined Pinot Noirs the pride of these cool-climate areas.
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Australian Grand Prix trivia & fun facts
First taking place in 1928, then becoming an official part of the World Championship in 1985, the Australian Grand Prix has delivered plenty of twists and turns in the past century.
Brief history of F1 in Australia
The Australian Grand Prix has had many homes since its inception, including Phillip Island and Adelaide Street Circuit, although it’s currently the streets of Albert Park in Melbourne where the action takes place. After fending off a serious bid from Sydney, the Australian Grand Prix will remain in Melbourne for at least another ten seasons, until 2035.
For the majority of the year, Albert Park is a roadway surrounded by a beautiful park with ample walking trails, a lake, picnic areas, and a championship golf course. However, six weeks before the Melbourne Grand Prix, building work on the track begins, reportedly taking around 290,000 man-hours to construct each year.
Legendary winners
Over the decades, many F1 legends have claimed victory in the Australian Grand Prix including Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Alain Prost, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Fernando Alonso.
The Australian Grand Prix is known for its unpredictability. One minute the podium positions seem to be set, and the next it’s all up in the air. A prime example of this is when David Coulthard moved up from 11th position to claim the F1 Championship title in 2003. That epic win ended up being the last in his Formula 1 career.
Lap records
Until 2020, Albert Park was a speedy 16-turn track, on which Michael Schumacher was the most successful driver. The German icon claimed three consecutive wins from 2000 to 2002 and again in 2004, where he recorded the ultimate lap record of 1:24.125, which stood for more than 15 years.
In 2021, the track was changed to a shorter and arguably easier 14-turn layout, with the current lap record holder Sergio Pérez, with a run of 1:20.235 recorded in 2023.
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Don’t wait to secure your 2024 Melbourne F1 hospitality package
With so much in store, we can’t wait to return to Melbourne to enjoy what is always a brilliant weekend of racing and indulging in life’s finer things. You can join us for our 2024 Australian Grand Prix hospitality package, where you’ll enjoy the height of luxury and action from our hospitality suite on the high-speed Walker Straight.
To learn more about this experience and our full collection of exclusive F1 events, speak to our friendly travel concierge team today.
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