The Australian Grand Prix has extended its contract to host Formula 1 for a further two years to 2037.
A press release from the Premier of Victoria has revealed that Albert Park has signed a further two-year contract extension to host the Australian Grand Prix until 2037. The news comes just six months after the event signed a long-term 10-year contract to remain on the Formula 1 calendar until 2035.
The latest deal means that Albert Park now has the longest contract of any circuit on the current calendar. Bahrain International Circuit previously held the longest contract, having signed up to host the Bahrain Grand Prix until 2036.
This year, the Australian Grand Prix enjoyed its largest weekend crowd since 1995. Almost 420,000 attendees passed through the circuit gates across the four days of the race weekend. Event organisers are expecting another strong attendance figure in 2023, with tickets already on sale for next year’s Albert Park race. Race day tickets officially sold out in just three and a half hours
As part of the previous contract signed in June, the Australian Grand Prix was supposed to hold the season-opening event at least five times between 2023 and 2035. Under the new contract, the wording has changed and Australia will be the season-opener “for at least four years between 2023 and 2037”.
It’s likely that in 2025, 2026 and 2027, Albert Park will host the first race of the new season.
Westacott to leave Australian Grand Prix role
There’ll be a change at the top of Australian Grand Prix hierarchy in 2023 as Andrew Westacott has announced his intention to leave his role as Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO. Westacott has been in the role since 2011.
Westacott has overseen 30 Formula 1 and MotoGP races during his time in charge at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. In a statement, he ranked motorsport’s return to Melbourne in 2022 among his highlights during his tenure as CEO:
“It’s been a source of immense pride to be able to work for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation for so many years and to work so closely with the wonderful AGPC team and all those involved in our major events industry, including those at Formula 1 and MotoGP.
Thirty events, a few cancellations along the way and record-breaking crowds in 2022 have all provided special moments. The contrasting years between the start of COVID in 2020 and the way in which we opened Melbourne to the sporting world in 2022 both produced massive memories that I’ll remember forever.”
Westacott’s successor has not yet been announced.
