Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time The dramatic growth of a Hindu sect has ignited a feud between worshippers and residents in one of Melbourne’s most exclusive suburbs over the noise traffic and smells generated by an inner-city temple The Melbourne branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) the primary organisation of the Hare Krishna movement has been based on Danks Street in Albert Park for almost 50 years ISKCON temple president Aniruddha Dasa.Credit: Joe Armao But the growing Indian diaspora has fuelled a resurgence in members pushing the Albert Park temple to capacity as complaints from locals intensify about the temple kitchen that pumps out thousands of meals weekly A petition with 182 signatures calling for the kitchen’s relocation was presented to Port Phillip Council earlier last month claiming the temple was now a “commercial activity” for an industrial site Hare Krishna Melbourne argues the kitchen should remain there because it complies with an existing use right for the temple’s current operations Council lawyers are assessing the claim before a vote in June Temple president Aniruddha Dasa said he appreciated neighbours’ concerns as the temple had experienced a “mind-boggling” increase in popularity since the pandemic particularly as border restrictions lifted and Indian university students returned However, Shirley Lanning and Maria Mercurio, petitioners from the “Keep Albert Park Peaceful” group, argue disruptions are linked to the temple’s kitchen, which expanded significantly around 2017 The kitchen powers the Hare Krishna Food For Life charity that feeds thousands of people experiencing food insecurity across Melbourne Temple worshippers also get three free meals a day Some food is also prepared for ISKCON’s low-cost restaurant in the CBD But the means don’t make sense in a residential zone,” Mercurio said “It’s a large industrial-scale production kitchen.” Planning approval for the kitchen was granted in 2010 with the condition that staffing levels were limited but this was later found to be unenforceable by the council Some in Albert Park believe the Hare Krishna temple’s large commercial kitchen needs to be moved.Credit: Joe Armao The residents’ petition also complains about increased traffic waste in a rear lane and “pungent smells from the large-scale food production pervading the environment” It also said that “very loud chanting and drumming” can be heard from the temple Dasa argued the group was doing its best to manage the “Hare Krishna explosion” and had moved major events away from Albert Park It’s hard to remove the spiritual significance of the location “But this notion that there’s all hell breaking loose in Albert Park is – I would suggest – a little overdone.” The Hare Krishna temple is surrounded by homes.Credit: Joe Armao council officers said two tests done at recent temple events found “noise emissions were within legally acceptable limits” No food or public health law breaches have been reported after 30 council inspections although a “significant waste management breach and liquid spill” occurred in August 2022 A council spokesperson said ISKCON claims its kitchen has prepared food for at least 15 years “If the kitchen is found to not have existing use rights ISKCON would need to apply for a planning permit for it to continue operating there,” the spokesperson said “We are very sympathetic to residents’ amenity concerns and are doing everything we can within our powers to investigate or address amenity issues We also value what the temple brings to our community.” said the kitchen could not be separated from the temple “The kitchen is a fundamental part of Hindu devotional culture The deity is worshipped with offerings,” he said “To move the kitchen would kill the temple.” ISKCON Australia’s most recent public financial report said the national charity’s revenue was $24.4 million contributing to a $3.5 million surplus in 2023 Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada founded ISKCON to spread his strand of Hinduism throughout the West The Beatles’ George Harrison was an early convert Burt said ISKCON had since evolved from Western followers living in ashrams to a congregational religion The migration of Hindu Indians looking for familiar temple communities spurred its recent growth in the West Hare Krishna Melbourne’s annual Sri Krishna birthday events attract thousands of people but Dasa said the celebrations would now be held across four locations Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada at Sydney Airport after arriving from Melbourne in 1974.Credit: Craig Golding/Fairfax Media The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here The dramatic growth of a Hindu sect has ignited a feud between worshippers and residents in one of Melbourne\\u2019s most exclusive suburbs over the noise But the has fuelled a resurgence in members A petition with 182 signatures calling for the kitchen\\u2019s relocation was presented to Port Phillip Council earlier last month claiming the temple was now a \\u201Ccommercial activity\\u201D for an industrial site Hare Krishna Melbourne argues the kitchen should remain there because it complies with an existing use right for the temple\\u2019s current operations Temple president Aniruddha Dasa said he appreciated neighbours\\u2019 concerns as the temple had experienced a \\u201Cmind-boggling\\u201D increase in popularity since the pandemic petitioners from the \\u201CKeep Albert Park Peaceful\\u201D group argue disruptions are linked to the temple\\u2019s kitchen Some food is also prepared for ISKCON\\u2019s low-cost restaurant in the CBD But the means don\\u2019t make sense in a residential zone,\\u201D Mercurio said \\u201CIt\\u2019s a large industrial-scale production kitchen.\\u201D The residents\\u2019 petition also complains about increased traffic waste in a rear lane and \\u201Cpungent smells from the large-scale food production pervading the environment\\u201D It also said that \\u201Cvery loud chanting and drumming\\u201D can be heard from the temple Dasa argued the group was doing its best to manage the \\u201CHare Krishna explosion\\u201D and had moved major events away from Albert Park It\\u2019s hard to remove the spiritual significance of the location We\\u2019re taking steps to manage a transition and it\\u2019s expensive,\\u201D Dasa said \\u201CBut this notion that there\\u2019s all hell breaking loose in Albert Park is \\u2013 I would suggest \\u2013 a little overdone.\\u201D council officers said two tests done at recent temple events found \\u201Cnoise emissions were within legally acceptable limits\\u201D although a \\u201Csignificant waste management breach and liquid spill\\u201D occurred in August 2022 \\u201CIf the kitchen is found to not have existing use rights ISKCON would need to apply for a planning permit for it to continue operating there,\\u201D the spokesperson said \\u201CWe are very sympathetic to residents\\u2019 amenity concerns and are doing everything we can within our powers to investigate or address amenity issues We also value what the temple brings to our community.\\u201D \\u201CThe kitchen is a fundamental part of Hindu devotional culture The deity is worshipped with offerings,\\u201D he said \\u201CTo move the kitchen would kill the temple.\\u201D ISKCON Australia\\u2019s most recent said the national charity\\u2019s revenue was $24.4 million The Beatles\\u2019 George Harrison was an early convert Hare Krishna Melbourne\\u2019s annual Sri Krishna birthday events attract thousands of people The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories A beloved Albert Park landmark will soon be revitalised as a contemporary restaurant and function centre thanks to a new partnership between Parks Victoria and leading hospitality group offering a fresh dining and events experience in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most cherished parks Located at the northern end of Albert Park Lake the venue boasts breathtaking views across the water and the lake’s bustling sailing area the site housed a renowned restaurant celebrated for its fine dining before transitioning into an Asian restaurant AVC will invest $3.4 million to transform the space creating a vibrant destination for families The ground floor will feature a casual bistro with a balcony overlooking the parkland and lake providing the perfect setting for relaxed meals and gatherings The first level will be dedicated to functions and events AVC render shows first level functions space Following a comprehensive Expression of Interest process kicking off an exciting new chapter for this iconic location Remediation work has already started to prepare the building for fit-out with renovations expected to begin later this year or early 2026 The venue is anticipated to open its doors by mid-2026 The transformation of the Albert Park Lake House is part of a broader effort to enhance Albert Park’s facilities and preserve its status as a premier destination for recreation Recent Victorian Government investments include solar panels for community spots clubs The Federal Government is also contributing $5 million to deliver further upgrades to changerooms while Parks Victoria provides annual funding for sports clubs through the Albert Park Sports Grants program has expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Parks Victoria on this iconic project The team is looking forward to bringing the reimagined Albert Park Lake House to life.” “Our partnership with the Australian Venue Company represents a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into a cherished Albert Park landmark The Albert Park Lake House will not only enhance the visitor experience but also ensure this iconic location remains a vibrant and welcoming space for the community to enjoy for years to come We’re excited to see this vision come to life and look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike to this stunning destination.” the Albert Park Lake House is poised to become a vibrant hub for dining and connection in one of Melbourne’s most picturesque settings For more information about Albert Park and its facilities or for updates as this exciting project unfolds Autumn in Victoria is bursting with wild adventures perfect for curious kids and grown-ups From finding ancient fossils with real palaeontologists to helping to protect penguins these four hands-on citizen science events bring nature to life From Junior Ranger activities to family-friendly camping here are 10 unmissable school holiday nature activities in Victoria’s parks Many popular locations within the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park are now re-opened to visitors within the non-fire affected areas and subscribe to receive the latest nature inspiration and news straight to your inbox Victoria’s networks of parks and reserves form the core of Aboriginal cultural landscapes Parks Victoria acknowledges the continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these landscapes and recognises their ongoing role in caring for Country on which we learn Explore what's on offer at the Grand Prix™ Amex Card Members will receive elevated benefits at the track Award-winning artists headline music at the Grand Prix™ Information for the diverse needs of our patrons Not ready to call it a day after the races Melbourne is a city that will keep you guessing The latest news from the world of Formula 1® Watch the best of the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix The 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship™ driver line-up The 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™ standings The 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship™ calendar An incredible experience for people living with disabilities in partnership with the What Ability Foundation We are proud to launch Albert Park Unlocked a program that provides people with disability a memorable and tailored FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 experience In partnership with the What Ability Foundation Albert Park Unlocked seeks to prioritise fun as we support the Foundation's goal to unlock 1 million experiences for people with disability Participants will receive a Park Pass to the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 and an Albert Park Unlocked lanyard providing money can't buy experiences like the Inclusive Pit Lane Experience on Friday to see behind the scenes of the Grand Prix™ spectacle The Australian Grand Prix Corporation acknowledges the Bunurong People the Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which we meet and race We respect and welcome people of all backgrounds led by ex-Fridcorp co-owner and joint chief executive officer has swooped on an inner-city office with plans for residential conversion Melbourne – actually three kilometres south of the CBD with the postcode 3004 – is trading for $27 million Receivers for Taiwan backed Everland Global listed the asset late last yar Everland paid Larry Kestleman $59m for the 19 level There is an additional 159-bay basement car park The site spreads 2023 sqm opposite Albert Park Lake Cushman & Wakefield’s Oliver Hay Daniel Wolman and Leon Ma with Colliers’ Jozef Dickinson Alex Browne and Aaron Choong were the agents (story continues below) Alta is planning a build-to-sell apartment conversion the builder’s portfolio includes – in South Yarra an apartment complex on an ex-Lamborghini dealership at the top of Chapel Street the group completed a 286-unit development in Dorcas Street It was also behind a boutique low rise project in Herbert Street Alta has constructed residential complexes in Erskineville and Hurstville Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page A former property analyst and print journalist Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au Forgot your password? You will receive mail with link to set new password Back to login While an F1 test unlikely for Albert Park prior to the 2026 Australian Grand Prix Suggestions in today’s Herald-Sun newspaper by Australian Grand Prix chairman Martin Pakula that he has spoken with Formula 1 about a pre-season test on the streets of Melbourne will likely fall on deaf ears While a Formula 1 test might be off the table it opens the door for a standalone weekend of car racing with a Supercars headliner as the likely way to make use of the Albert Park Circuit on the weekend before next year’s race F1 has already stated its preferred testing schedule for next year’s new generation of cars He also says the teams are unlikely to embrace testing on a street circuit even if it is one as evolved as Albert Park There is also a desperate need to start the 2026 Supercars season with a bang after the two crowdless events in NSW have been invisible on the Australian sporting radar at Bathurst and Sydney Motorsport Park A Melbourne 500 event with a similar structure to the Adelaide 500 would be the perfect fillip for the sport especially with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation looking for ways to provide a better return to the tax payers of Victoria Victorians underwrite the race to the tune of more than $50 million per year and opening up racing on the weekend prior is seen as a priority An event like that would gut the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the VHHR Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport so that is seen as a less desirable than Supercars Grand Prix week signals the launch for Auto Action’s all-new monthly printed magazine – coffee-table reading packed with in-depth features from around the motorsport world. On sale at newsagents from tomorrow. A full F1 car by car preview can also be found in the LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION DIGITAL HERE For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine Get the latest updates delivered directly to your inbox You have successfully joined our subscriber list 95206TARGA Tasmania open for businessThe wait is over for prospective drivers with the application process now open for the returning TARGA Tasmania on November 16-21 There is 100 days until Supercars go racing around Queensland Raceway again and the Triple Eight drivers cannot wait Both Queensland raised drivers Will Brown and Broc Feeney are excited […] After fighting hard off the back foot at Phillip Island Jarrod Hughes and Summer Rintoule are ready for more fights at Sydney Motorsport Park As usual Hughes has been keeping […] Lando Norris set the pace during a scorching opening practice session in Bahrain where six young drivers stepped up to the challenge amid low grip conditions and a shuffled finishing […] Caroline Garde[email protected] Where can I find Auto Action Premium? Click here As part of the Crown Lands Flood Recovery Program Lismore City Council’s Environmental Strategies team received funding to remediate the riverbank at Albert Park baseball fields The 2022 floods caused significant erosion on the left bank of the Wilsons River destabilizing the bank and damaging regenerating riparian vegetation This has reduced the riparian corridor to less than 2 meters in some areas and led to the loss of mature trees GHD Engineering was engaged to investigate the riverbank’s stability and develop options for remediation Their geotechnical assessment identified areas at risk of failure and provided recommendations for stabilising the bank Stabilisation options are limited due to the depth of alluvial floodplain soils and the associated costs Council has decided to remove approximately 235 meters of the western footpath that surrounds the baseball fields The area between the riverbank and the fields will be replanted with native vegetation While this measure won't eliminate the risk of further erosion it will help improve safety by limiting public access to the unstable section Further potential remediation options put forth by the report will be explored in the future Alternative footpath routes have been constructed to ensure continued passage throughout Albert Park including options for loop tracks and will be marked for users The community's understanding and cooperation are appreciated as we work toward creating a safer and more sustainable environment for all visitors to Albert Park Path closure is expected between late February and the first week of March 2025 Lismore City Council acknowledges the Widjabul/Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung nation traditional owners of the land on which we work We acknowledge their continuing connection to the land We pay our respects to the Widjabul/Wia-bal people Anzac Station will provide train access for the first time to St Kilda Road including Melbourne's iconic Shrine of Remembrance The station will be Melbourne’s first direct tram/train interchange taking pressure off Swanston Street trams and reducing travel times for up to 40,000 people who live and work on St Kilda Road The tram stop at street level will be linked by escalators stairs and lifts to the station concourse and platforms directly below Two more entrances at the edge of the Shrine of Remembrance and at Albert Road Reserve are linked by a safe convenient public walkway under busy St Kilda Road From Anzac Station you will be able to catch trains: Anzac Station’s distinctive timber canopy is 85m long and 23m wide It’s designed as a pavilion in the park that blends into its leafy surrounds The canopy sits on massive steel columns up to 17m above the station concourse with skylights that draw in natural light Entrances on either side of St Kilda Road create a pedestrian underpass below the busy road Anzac Station will have Victorian-first platform screen doors for better safety St Kilda Road is one of the world’s busiest tram corridors and a popular route with cyclists More than half of the passengers using the new station are expected to move between trains and trams The new tram interchange is the first in Melbourne with a direct platform-to-platform connection between the train and tram network Extra-large tram platforms can accommodate 4 trams at any one time (or 2 longer E-class trams in each direction) and will cater for large crowds for events such as Anzac Day and the Grand Prix Albert Road Reserve has been expanded and enhanced as a community park providing a green link between the Shrine of Remembrance Reserve Albert Park and beyond to Port Phillip Bay Anzac Station’s tram stop is accessible from pedestrian crossings near Albert Road and Domain Road and features raised platforms to allow easy access for wheelchair users to board low floor trams Lifts will take people from entrances at Albert Road the Shrine of Remembrance Reserve and the tram platform to the train platforms below ground Other accessibility features of Anzac Station include: The official spelling for this new station is Anzac Station. As determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs the ‘ANZAC’ acronym is used when referencing the Corps itself ‘Anzac’ is used in all other situations Use your mouse to move the viewpoint around Receive project updates and notifications for works and disruptions delivered to your inbox Home › News Oscar Piastri will start his third Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix from the front row after a brilliant display during the first official FIA Formula 1 championship qualifying session of the year The Melbourne-born driver proved to be one of the quickest throughout the penultimate day of the weekend topping the timesheets in Practice 3 before going second fastest in Qualifying An electrifying final run in Q3 saw Piastri charge to provisional pole position before teammate Lando Norris pipped him by less than a tenth With reigning champion Max Verstappen unable to improve much on his final run the session ended with a McLaren front-row lockout making it to Q2 before eventually qualifying in P14 Although slightly off teammate Pierre Gasly Doohan was the second-fastest rookie in Qualifying and the rest of the FIA Formula 1 Championship field officially kick off the season with the Australian Grand Prix at 3pm AEDT Joshua Duerksen put on a dominant display in the first Formula 2 outing of the season taking victory in an entertaining Sprint Race ahead of pole-sitter Leonardo Fornaroli and Luke Browning The AIX Racing driver started from P2 but managed to seize the lead early with a perfect getaway over Fornaroli before managing two Safety Car interventions and remaining in control on both occasions with Dino Beganovic slipping down the order before a Virtual Safety Car was deployed on Lap 3 when Victor Martins crashed out at Turn 6 Another Safety Car was called on Lap 7 when Max Esterson spun into the gravel Duerksen executed a flawless restart to maintain his lead withstanding pressure from Fornaroli and Browning The championship returns with its Feature Race on Sunday at 11:30am AEDT With just one race on the category’s schedule for Saturday it was Van Amersfoort Racing’s Santiago Ramos who claimed the first victory of the 2025 season while James Wharton was unfortunately forced to retire early The rookie overcame multiple interruptions throughout the race to cross the line under the Safety Car ahead of Martinius Stenshorne and debutant Roman Bilinski While the Safety Car dominated much of the race Ramos held firm whenever racing was green and never looked likely to give up the lead The Spaniard controlled the field and got away perfectly he was involved in the first major incident as the Victorian made contact with yesterday’s pole-sitter Rafael Câmara and Laurens van Hoepen while both international drivers ended up in the gravel at Turn 12 The championship will kick off Sunday morning’s action with its Feature Race at 9am AEDT Reigning Supercars Champion Will Brown has notched up his first victory of the 2025 season after edging out Red Bull teammate Broc Feeney in the third race of the MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint In what was undoubtedly the most chaotic race of the weekend for the category so far Brown and Feeney avoided the drama unfolding behind them Brown managed to snatch the win from his teammate who had made history by qualifying in top spot for both Race 6 and Race 7 earlier in the day Rounding out the podium was Matt Stone Racing’s Nick Percat who found himself in a thrilling battle with both Shell V-Power Racing Team entries of Will Davison and Brodie Kostecki—eventually hanging on for third and securing his second podium of the weekend with James Golding falling victim to the first major crash before Cooper Murray’s early finish Feeney remains in the box seat to win this year’s Larry Perkins Trophy after yesterday’s leader current championship leader Brown has a challenge ahead as he will start tomorrow’s race from P18 Supercars’ final race of the round takes place at 10:20am AEDT Porsche Carrera Cup Australia wrapped up its visit to Albert Park in style on Saturday night as Carrera Cup champion Alessandro Ghiretti took out the final race of the weekend The French debutant was a cut above the rest during the twilight race charging up the order to secure the victory while Jackson Walls did enough to claim the overall win Splitting Ghiretti and Walls in the 16-lap race was Dylan O’Keeffe the Victorian finished as runner-up for the weekend Rodney Jane secured his second consecutive round win of the year after a consistent weekend behind the wheel Jane finished fourth in the final race but had done enough on Thursday and Friday to secure the points needed Taking top honors in Saturday night’s race was Adrian Flack with Matthew Belford finishing in third place overall The popular one-make category now has an extended break between rounds with its next appearance scheduled for Darwin in June © Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Limited trading as Motorsport Australia • 2025ABN 55 069 045 665   Motorsport Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present motorsport.org.au is powered by OctozyTerms of Use | Cookies Exclusive Supercars Trackside Lounge tickets released for Albert ParkSupercars26 FebPremium hospitality package offers unmatched trackside views and a first-class experience3 mins by Supercars.comMelbourne2025 Supercars CalendarExclusive Trackside Lounge tickets released for Albert Park Premium hospitality package offers unmatched trackside views Exclusive experience expected to sell quickly Supercars will take centre stage at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix on Thursday March 13 delivering an action-packed day for motorsport fans at Albert Park With Formula 1 cars not hitting the track until Friday which will feature in five on-track sessions Fans will see two Repco Supercars Championship practice sessions and the first race of the MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint The 2024 Supercars races at Albert Park were among the most exciting in recent memory highlighted by Nick Percat's stunning drought-breaking win for Matt Stone Racing The event also saw a dramatic crash and tempers flaring when rising star Matthew Payne and fellow Mustang ace Cam Waters collided while jostling for lead positions Waters leads the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship by 60 points heading into the Melbourne SuperSprint after a flawless opening round in Sydney where he claimed three pole positions Ford drivers will be aiming to break a long drought at Albert Park this year when Scott McLaughlin and Chaz Mostert led the Blue Oval to a clean sweep of all four races Supercars Trackside Lounge: Exclusive Thursday Access This premium hospitality package offers unmatched trackside views and a first-class experience Reserved seating with a prime vantage point giving fans the chance to hear from the stars of the sport this is the best way for fans to get trackside at Albert Park and witness an entire day of Supercars as the headline act This exclusive experience is expected to sell quickly. Secure your place now by contacting Corporate Experiences today. For 2025, Supercars will be a part of The Motorsport Straight precinct, located on the outfield, behind the Senna Grandstand, home to the new Supercars and Porsche Carrera Cup paddocks. For the first time in Australian history, Supercars will feature a fan-facing podium located in the Supercars Paddock, giving all racegoers with a Park Pass (general admission ticket) access to the winner's celebrations from Thursday through until Saturday, before the Larry Perkins trophy is awarded on Sunday on the main podium in pit lane to the highest Supercars point scorer of the event. Within the Supercars precinct, fans will enjoy more superscreens, additional bar and catering outlets, and increased shaded areas to ensure they can take in every moment of the action-packed event. Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe Sydney-based restaurateur Al Yazbek and his wife Rebecca of the Nomad Group of restaurants – recently rebranded as Edition Group – have listed their Melbourne mansion Hambleton House just seven weeks after settling on the $11 million Albert Park property Hambleton House in Melbourne’s Albert Park is one of the last unrenovated mansions on St Vincent Place SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for information to identify a third man who allegedly impersonated security at a major event in Albert Park last month It is alleged the group impersonated security guards to attend the event at Albert Park on Sunday Videos were also shared on social media of them allegedly accessing areas which were off-limits to members of the public Detectives have released an image of a man they wish to speak to who they believe can assist with their enquiries Police have already arrested and charged two men following the alleged security breaches at the event An 18-year-old South Melbourne man and an 18-year-old Albert Park man were interviewed by detectives on Wednesday They have both been charged with several offences under both the Crimes Act and the Major Events Act The South Melbourne man has been charged with ten offences including obtain financial advantage by deception The Albert Park man has been charged with seven offences The two men were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 13 June Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au 13 March 2025The opening day of the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 is set to be a big one with the Supercars and Porsche Carrera Cup classes set to race on Thursday The Ford and Chevrolet Supercars will take to the famed Albert Park Grand Prix circuit for the MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint at 11:05am for the opening 30-minute Practice session before two all-important Qualifying sessions; one at 3:25pm to set the grid for the opening race The opening Supercars race will line up at 5:45pm with Ford ace Cameron Waters looking to extend the points leads after a dominant opening round at Sydney Motorsport Park led by Triple 8’s defending Supercars Champion Will Brown and Broc Feeney out to close in on the Tickford Mustang driver With a new Dunlop control tyre in use for this season Qualifying will be more important than ever A year ago Feeney and Waters split the pole positions in the same two sessions and with his off-season switch to Team 18’s Chevrolet Camaro he is sure to be looking for a strong start to the weekend The 2010 V8 Supercars champion is set to retire at the end of the season and is nearly always strong on fast and he will be out for a big result in his Mustang which is run by the Melbourne-based Blanchard Racing Team Friday Park Pass tickets are $90 for the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025! the Supercars support paddock has been moved to the outside of Turn 14 with a fan-friendly format that gives fans the chance to get close to the cars and the stars In the Porsche Carrera Cup races 29 cars will face off in the category’s 16th visit to the historic Albert Park circuit Harri Jones leads the series points after an impressive start to the season and will face a new challenge in the form of current Carrera Cup Asia and France champion Alessandro Ghiretti 2023 Albert Park winner Jackson Walls returns to the Porsche pack after graduating to a full-time Super2 Supercars program with Triple 8 Jones and Walls are two of three Porsche pilots who have won at the track before so all of them will be looking to become the first two-time Albert Park winner In the Pro-Am category Rodney Jane leads the points; what could be more historic than a Jane winning in Melbourne Practice will start with a 30-minute session at 10:10am There will be two all-important systems checks for the international drivers and teams in the opening rounds of the FIA Formula 3™ and Formula 3™ comes at 11:50am and the Formula 3s will be on the track at 2:45pm the era in which Albert Park first hosted the Australian Grand Prix In the Racing Past presented by Shannons Insurance the Fabulous Fifties cars will be on the track for the first time this weekend at 2:10pm for a 20-minute session The Allan government has delayed construction of a new Formula 1 garage at the Albert Park circuit and corporate hospitality facilities required to funnel more revenue back to the global owners of the sport The facilities won’t be ready until at least 2028 two years behind the schedule originally agreed in a contract with Formula 1 under a previously undisclosed provision within Victoria’s contract extension to keep the Australian Grand Prix the state agreed to build world-class garages and new or substantially refurbished corporate hospitality facilities in time for next year’s race The state also agreed to forgo all corporate revenue generated within Paddock Club Under an agreement previously struck between founding grand prix chairman Ron Walker and former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone the Australian Grand Prix kept the revenue it raised through the Albert Park Paddock Club When asked how much the construction would cost the state a Victorian government spokesperson said the commercial agreement was confidential “The pit building redevelopment will future-proof Melbourne to hold this iconic international event for years to come – cementing our reputation as a global sporting destination,” the spokesperson said “Engagement with local clubs and Albert Park residents is under way so they can help shape the project.” When questioned about whether the refurbished facility would be ready by the agreed date of 2026 Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Martin Pakula was non-committal they are matters for governments to announce and talk about and not a matter for me to talk about,” he said McLaren driver Oscar Piastri heads into pit lane at Albert Park this week.Credit: Getty “The government will talk about those things in its own time and it’s not something I’m talking about at this stage.” as a former government minister responsible for the grand prix was directly involved in the negotiations with F1 the government agreed to provide permanent or temporary corporate facilities to accommodate up to 5000 people The current capacity of the paddock club is 2000 people with the average ticket selling for more than $6000 According to documents published by Development Victoria the government agency responsible for the Albert Park redevelopment work on the new pit building will now not commence until after the 2026 race in time for the 2028 race – two years after the date stipulated in the F1 contract Reigning F1 champion driver Max Verstappen careers around the Albert Park track on Friday.Credit: Getty Images The terms of the Victorian government’s 12-year agreement with Liberty Media – the $12.4 billion Colorado-based company that owns Formula 1 – to stage the Australian Grand Prix until 2037 including the annual fee paid to F1 to secure the promoter’s rights The Australian Grand Prix has some of the oldest pit lane and paddock club facilities in the world recently constructed its pit lane and paddock building for an estimated $US500 million ($794 million) Tickets to the paddock club in Vegas sell for an estimated $US15,000 ($24,000) The paddock in readiness for last year’s F1 grand prix in Las Vegas.Credit: Getty Images the AGPC commissioned Cox Architects to conduct an $847,000 feasibility study into how best to revamp the permanent grand prix buildings at Albert Park No further funding has been allocated to the project in the state budget neither the government nor event organisers would comment on the potential cost to Victorian taxpayers Pakula defended the cost of staging the grand prix when you want to be in the business of running an F1 event “The economic return is substantially greater than the cost to the taxpayer and if we didn’t want this event then there would be jurisdictions lining up to take our place Last year’s event posted a $102.3 million loss News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter The facilities won\\u2019t be ready until at least 2028 under a previously undisclosed provision within Victoria\\u2019s contract extension to keep the Australian Grand Prix the state agreed to build world-class garages and new or substantially refurbished corporate hospitality facilities in time for next year\\u2019s race \\u201CThe pit building redevelopment will future-proof Melbourne to hold this iconic international event for years to come \\u2013 cementing our reputation as a global sporting destination,\\u201D the spokesperson said \\u201CEngagement with local clubs and Albert Park residents is under way so they can help shape the project.\\u201D they are matters for governments to announce and talk about and not a matter for me to talk about,\\u201D he said \\u201CThe government will talk about those things in its own time and it\\u2019s not something I\\u2019m talking about at this stage.\\u201D in time for the 2028 race \\u2013 two years after the date stipulated in the F1 contract The terms of the Victorian government\\u2019s 12-year agreement with Liberty Media \\u2013 the $12.4 billion Colorado-based company that owns Formula 1 \\u2013 to stage the Australian Grand Prix until 2037 including the annual fee paid to F1 to secure the promoter\\u2019s rights there\\u2019s a cost involved,\\u201D Pakula said \\u201CThe economic return is substantially greater than the cost to the taxpayer and if we didn\\u2019t want this event then there would be jurisdictions lining up to take our place Last year\\u2019s event posted a $102.3 million loss according to the AGPC\\u2019s annual report results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday After an entertaining season opener in Sydney last month the Repco Supercars Championship returns this weekend on the nation’s biggest motorsport stage – the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix 2025 Having been a main part of the internationally renowned event for decades this year’s MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint has plenty of exciting narratives to keep the fans engaged across the four races Arguably the biggest news to occur in between rounds was the recent announcement of Aaron Love’s departure from Blanchard Racing Team who has been replaced by 2022 FIA Motorsports Games Team Australia representative and current Super2 pilot And while many people will be interested how Supercars’ newest recruit fairs on the streets of Albert Park the battle at the top of the pack will certainly raise the most talking points Championship leader Cam Waters enjoyed a dream weekend at Eastern Creek with a clean sweep of victories in the opener aboard his Tickford Mustang However he now comes to an event that hasn’t been too kind to him in recent years – his last podium in Melbourne dating back to 2019 The Victorian will undoubtedly want to continue his momentum this weekend who is fresh from a unforgettable outing at the Race Of Champions and the two Red Bull Ampol Racing entries of Will Brown and Broc Feeney – all of whom have won and appeared on the podium at Albert Park multiple times in the past three seasons Australia’s premier racing championship will have four races across the weekend with its busiest day occurring on Thursday where it will have a whopping five sessions Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia will be the only other Australian Championship on the Formula 1 support card with the two categories to be joined by the FIA Formula 2 Championship and FIA Formula 3 Championship The MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint takes place at Albert Park Street Circuit as part of the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix on 13-16 March Thursday 13 March11:05am – 11:35am: Practice 11:25pm – 1:55pm: Practice 2 3:25pm – 3:40pm: Qualifying (Race 4)3:50pm – 4:05pm: Qualifying (Race 5)5:50pm – 6:35pm: Race 4 Saturday 23 March9:05am – 9:15am: Qualifying (Race 6)9:25am – 9:35pm: Qualifying (Race 7)5:40pm – 6:15pm: Race 6 Sunday 24 February10:25am – 11:00am: Race 7 View the full event schedule. Championship Top 10 after Sydney 500Cam Waters – 315 pointsWill Brown – 255Chaz Mostert – 250Broc Feeney – 216Matt Payne – 212Thomas Randle – 182Anton De Pasquale – 179Brodie Kostecki – 174James Golding – 139Andre Heimgartner – 137 Erebus Motorsport#9 Chevrolet Camaro – Jack Le Brocq#99 Chevrolet Camaro – Cooper Murray Walkinshaw Andretti United#2 Ford Mustang GT – Ryan Wood#25 Ford Mustang GT – Chaz Mostert Blanchard Racing Team#3 Ford Mustang GT – Aaron Cameron#7 Ford Mustang GT – James Courtney Matt Stone Racing#4 Chevrolet Camaro – Cameron Hill#10 Chevrolet Camaro – Nick Percat Tickford Racing#6 Ford Mustang GT – Cameron Waters#55 Ford Mustang GT – Thomas Randle Dick Johnson Racing#17 Ford Mustang GT – Will Davison#38 Ford Mustang GT – Brodie Kostecki Brad Jones Racing#8 Chevrolet Camaro – Andre Heimgartner#12 Chevrolet Camaro – Jaxon Evans#14 Chevrolet Camaro – Bryce Fullwood#96 Chevrolet Camaro – Macauley Jones Team 18#18 Chevrolet Camaro – Anton De Pasquale#20 Chevrolet Camaro – David Reynolds Grove Racing#19 Ford Mustang GT – Matthew Payne#26 Ford Mustang GT – Kai Allen PremiAir Nulon Racing#31 Chevrolet Camaro – James Golding#62 Chevrolet Camaro – Richie Stanaway Triple Eight Race Engineering#1 Chevrolet Camaro – Will Brown#88 Chevrolet Camaro – Broc Feeney 14 March 2025Formula 1® heats up at Albert Park on Saturday for Qualifying Day for the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 Qualifying is all about just one thing: seeing the fastest drivers and cars in motorsport leave all their excuses in their garages to see who will be on the front row of the grid for Sunday’s opening race of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship The teams will have their final chance to sort out their packages in the third one-hour Practice session there are just two hours to wait before the drivers prepare to climb aboard for the all-important three-stage Qualifying session Friday saw Ferrari and McLaren fighting for top honours That may not mean much if Sunday’s race is wet but, for Qualifying, it looks like a battle between Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris Keep an eye out, too, for new Williams driver Carlos Sainz (and 2024 Albert Park winner) and Racing Bulls star Yuki Tsunoda Saturday can be the best spectator day of the season The on-track action starts with two Qualifying sessions for the MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint to determine the grid for the third Supercars race there is a 10-minute break before the second session sure to be action-packed after what fans saw on Thursday and Friday Cameron Hill took his first win and Matt Stone Racing's first 1-2 result The international support races kick off at 11:15 p.m. with the opening Sprint race for the rising stars of Formula 3 Mexican Santiago Ramos and Peruvian Matías Zagazeta will share the front row while Trident Motorsport pair Rafael Câmara and Noah Stromsted who actually qualified fastest and second-fastest come through from the sixth row of the inverted top-12 grid a quarter of the F1 grid were in F2 as recently as last season – there is a lot to take in Grid penalties for testing technical breaches have turned the grid upside down but Italian Gabriele Mini was fastest for Prema Racing taking pole ahead of Frenchman Victor Martins There is also the third Porsche Carrera Cup race and after what we have seen on Thursday and Friday it will be worth waiting for (until 6:35 p.m.) Harri Jones and Jackson Walls each have won a race TICKFORD Racing has started its Taupō weekend lighter in the pocket after copping a fine related to the Albert Park weekend The team was pinged a total of $1000 for failing to complete and upload a control damper log for both its cars on the Friday of the Melbourne SuperSprint weekend Per Rule D18.1.3.1 of the Supercars Operations Manual: “The completed log must be submitted to the GMM by 1600hrs AEST of the Friday in the week immediately following an Event SCHEDULE: Supercars race, qualifying and practice times for Taupō TV GUIDE: When and where you can watch Supercars at Taupō SAY WHAT?: Why does Taupō get pronounced two different ways? “Failure to accurately complete and submit a Control Damper Log by the specified time will be a breach of the Rules.” The matter was heard by the Stewards on the eve of this weekend’s ITM Taupō Super440 A similar penalty was meted out to Team 18 at Albert Park for failing to provide the front brake rotor log for both its cars by the specified time Consistent rain has been falling over the Melbourne circuit all morning which prompted a safety car start for the 14-lap Supercars finale with the red flag flying after just two laps behind the safety car The field sat in pit lane for several minutes before officials declared that it will not be resumed All cars have been deemed as non-classified which suggests no points will be awarded Will Brown was the greatest beneficiary of that given he had been set to start the race from way back in 21st Instead he was declared the winner of the Larry Perkins Trophy and leaves Albert Park with the overall Supercars points lead Brown backed the decision to call off the race “I definitely lucked into [the Larry Perkins Trophy] this year,” he said “We had a very poor qualifying for this race “Sorry to all the fans that have come out today and watching on TV “But there was so many puddles out there at 80km/h you were nearly on the limit around Turn 5 and some of those corners “Disappointing for everyone watching but ultimately the conditions were pretty bad out there.” On the flip side was Brown’s teammate Broc Feeney was favourite for the Larry Perkins Trophy and was hoping to take a lot of series points off Brown “I want to go racing,” said a frustrated Feeney “It’s not even raining at the moment “It’s the unfortunate thing about having the short periods of time but everyone’s come out here to go racing It was raining pretty hard there for a second but it’s cleared up and we’ve parked it “It’s obviously disappointing for my car this was our day to make up heaps of points “Disappointing for us and unfortunate for the fans.” Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox SUPERCARS F1 NASCAR INDYCAR GT MOTOGP PHOTOS TV PODS ACDELCO Subscribe to our daily and breaking newsletter for all the latest news delivered direct to your box Copyright © 2025 Speedcafe.com. 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The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Our Team    /  Advertise with us  /  Privacy Policy Please enter your username or email address to reset your password 10 March 2025Make your event experience even better As the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 approaches now is the perfect time to share some underrated tips to enhance your experience at this year’s event It's often the small details that can make all the difference in taking your race weekend to the next level One of the biggest advantages of attending the event on Thursday is the opportunity to explore all the Albert Park Grandstands with your ticket Whether you're curious about the view from the Brabham Grandstand or just want to experience different vantage points Thursday gives you the freedom to sample the unique perspectives each grandstand offers Thursday will feature an exciting lineup of support categories including Supercars and the Porsche Carrera Cup as well as F2™ and F3™ taking to the track for a systems check providing plenty of action on the iconic Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit A common question we receive is how to tune in to the event’s live radio commentary You can catch all the action on the radio frequency 98.5 FM Please note that this frequency is only accessible via traditional transistor radios You can find affordable radios online or at most major department stores Ticket holders are welcome to bring their own food and drinks into the venue as long as they adhere to our attendance conditions Hard-cased Eskys or ice boxes are prohibited Polystyrene eskies and cooler bags are acceptable Bringing your own food is a great way to save on expenses during the event Another handy tip: bring a refillable water bottle and take advantage of the many water refilling stations throughout the venue Friday Grandstand tickets start at $125 for the FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025! The busiest times for food and beverage queues are typically directly after Formula 1® sessions consider heading to the vendors during quieter times such as during F1’s free practice sessions This can significantly reduce your wait times For those seeking extra comfort during their Park Pass experience it’s acceptable to bring a folding chair or stool and you’ll be all set for a fantastic day of on-track action Navigating the circuit is easy with our 3D virtual map, available to all fans on the Australian Grand Prix website This interactive map is the perfect tool to help you explore the venue and find key points of interest around the circuit making your experience smoother and more enjoyable After the Formula 1® race wraps up on Sunday it’s tempting to rush out and try to catch the first tram home But with a significant number of people exiting the venue at the same time Instead, consider spending an extra hour or two at the circuit. Grab a drink, enjoy some food, or head to the Crown Lakeside Festival to catch some live music your commute home can be much more relaxed and less stressful try skipping the queue and heading back towards the city on foot Average walk times are quicker than you might expect. Keep in mind that there will be no ATMs available for cash withdrawal at our 2025 event within the venue Be prepared to pay via card or withdraw cash before arriving at Albert Park If you’re a Grandstand or Hospitality ticket holder please enter via the allocated gate that’s provided on your ticket This will help you enter the venue as quickly as possible Mother Nature claimed victory in the final Supercars sprint at Albert Park Heavy rain prompted Sunday morning’s Race 7 at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix to be red-flagged with just two laps completed behind the Safety Car time ran out to restart the race due to the tight Formula 1 event schedule the race was declared at 10:44am AEDT – just under 10 minutes prior to the time-certain finish time – with no result and therefore no championship points to be awarded “The race car driver in me and as a spectator this weekend says ‘let’s go racing flat out’. It is quite wet out there though,” Triple Eight co-owner Jamie Whincup told Fox Sports prior to the call to cancel the race “The other factor to consider is we’ve got a two-day turnaround so we have only a two-day turnaround to get the cars in the containers to go to Taupō so the sensible part of me is saying ‘let’s take it a little bit easier’ “But of course we want to go racing at the same time “We’ve got an each way bet as well: We’ve got Broc Feeney up the front who we’d like to get going to score some points but then we’ve got Will right down the back 26 February 2025It’s the Mount Everest of international motorsport - the Formula 1® World Championship And across the 27 iterations of the Australian Grand Prix those first steps towards the Formula 1® summit have happened in Melbourne Melbourne has been the opening lap for some of the most legendary careers the sport has ever seen and while the stories of several modern-day stars who started in Australia are yet to be written There’s a new generation desperate to make their mark in Melbourne this March No fewer than six drivers who debuted in Melbourne have become champions of the world including three of the sport’s modern-day giants and superstars of different eras who have re-written the Formula 1® history books it was the son of a gun Jacques Villeneuve who wasted little time in making his mark Villeneuve took Melbourne’s first pole position and led for 50 of the 58 laps before a late-race oil leak pulled the handbrake on his march to history His second-place finish was merely an entrée of what was to follow a feat no Canadian had managed before nor emulated since If Villeneuve’s rapid journey from debutant to Formula 1® champion seemed pre-ordained the opposite could be said for the second world champion to get their F1® feet wet in Melbourne Jenson Button had barely left his teens when he touched down in Australia to make his F1 debut for Williams in 2000 After a heavy practice crash and a back-row qualifying slot the young Englishman retired from his first F1® race Button would have to wait until 2009 to win his first (and only) World Championship in an extraordinary season with Brawn GP; however during Albert Park’s tenure as a Formula 1®host only Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher have been as triumphant as the beaming Brit One year after Button graduated as a Formula 1® sophomore the season-opening driver photo on the Albert Park grid became one of the sport’s most famous race-winners and household names was a rookie class that is one of the strongest the sport has ever seen when Fernando Alonso and ‘the Iceman’ Kimi Raikkonen announced themselves to the world alongside Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya it’s arguable whether any rookie has arrived in Melbourne with greater expectations than Lewis Hamilton did in 2007 Hamilton had somehow exceeded the stratospheric hype Hamilton swept around the outside of two-time reigning world champion teammate Fernando Alonso into third place at the first corner of his first race Hamilton’s career has been a near two-decade assault on the sport’s record books since his first world championship in 2008 finished on more podiums and won more world titles A record eight pole positions in Melbourne including a remarkable six in successive years from 2014-19 What’s remarkable about this season is that at the age of just 27 2025 will be the 10th anniversary of Max Verstappen’s debut in Formula One Verstappen was 17 years and 177 days old when he made his F1 debut in Melbourne in 2015 and immediately showed his promise A decade after that first step into the F1® spotlight in Australia Verstappen is now a multiple-time world champion and the driver the championship goes through like Melbourne debutants Hamilton and Alonso before him Much has changed in Formula One across Melbourne’s long and glorious history as a Grand Prix city race faster and attract record audiences like we’ve never seen The Albert Park track has moved with the times as F1® gets bigger and better year after year Anyone who witnessed the six world champions in Melbourne’s Grand Prix history take their first steps to glory will never forget it But what’s indisputable is that greatness starts right here The Red Bull Ampol Racing Camaro struck a duck on the circuit at the exit of the high-speed Turn 11/12 chicane early in the Thursday evening contest Feeney said there was nothing he could do to avoid the contact “For about three laps there was a yellow flag at Turn 9 and 10 There were two groups [of ducks] on either side of the track,” he recounted “Then unfortunately one lap I came through and there were two in the middle of the track by the time you get through… I’m like ‘oh no’ My day was looking pretty good until then.” Feeney’s Camaro escaped damage in the incident although the driver noted he was dealing with a dirty windscreen for the remainder of the race Teammate Brown was following directly behind Feeney and was surprised the ducks had not been scared off by the cars it was quite amazing they didn’t get out of the road sooner,” he said “They made a perfect pathway for us through for the first three or four laps and then unfortunately one got hit victory in the Albert Park opener was the perfect fightback for Feeney and Triple Eight Feeney qualified on the front-row for all three races at the season-opening Sydney 500 but fell short of victory on each occasion including by just metres in the Saturday night race Triple Eight meanwhile entered the event under siege amid off-track moves that have included its technical director Jeromy Moore being poached by GM we had one major thing go wrong in every race,” Feeney reflected “But we’ve had three seconds and two poles so far to start this year [in qualifying] So on the qualifying front it’s been awesome “I know how hard it is here to get pole position For us it’s just about executing in qualifying and managing the races as best as we can “We’ve just been focused on ourselves this weekend is doing a fantastic job and so is the whole team and they deserve this result “We got smoked in Sydney and we’ve rocked up here and done really well.” Feeney will also start Friday’s Albert Park race from pole position after sweeping the two qualifying sessions today SUPERCARS will celebrate several of its race winners on its own podium within the championship’s heavily revised paddock area at next month’s Australian Grand Prix The category will have its own bespoke paddock area for the second year in a row at Albert Park having been bumped out of the support category pitlane last year by Formula 2 and Formula 3 that paddock area was inside the circuit and closed off to fans fans will be allowed in the relocated paddock which will be situated outside the final corner and top end of the pit straight Within the paddock will be Supercars’ own bespoke podium setup which will allow fans to get up close with the winners and their cars The moves were confirmed Wednesday amid the Australian Grand Prix Corporation unveiling the new precincts set up around the circuit for 2025 with former F1 racer Romain Grosjean on hand for the announcement “What a fan wants is to go close to the car close to the drivers and close to the winning driver,” Grosjean said “So having a fan-facing podium for the Supercars is going to be fantastic “The fans will be able to get close to the cars smelling the hot tyres and the champagne and just having fun with the drivers.” V8 Sleuth understands that the final podium of the weekend, at which the overall round winner receives Larry Perkins Perpetual Trophy, will still be conducted on the Formula 1 podium within the pit building. Supercars is expected to reveal more details on the podium setup next week. The Supercars paddock will form part of the Motorsport Straight precinct on the outside of pit straight, which will also incorporate the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia paddock and historic cars. “Coming out of the 2024 race, we felt there was an opportunity to elevate the fan experience by better arranging the overall circuit into four really clear precincts, with their own propositions targeted at the changing demographics of our fan base,” Travis Auld, Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, said. “We’ve combined a lot of our motorsport assets from all around the circuit and brought them into one place. “For people that really love their racing and their motorsport, you’ll get to get up and close with the Supercars garages, Porsche Carrera Cup garages, the historics … it’s a fantastic place to be if you love your motorsport.” The other new precincts include Lakeside, with a focus on music and culture, Pit Stop Park for families and schools, and Melbourne Junction, which will be home to the very best of the city’s food and hospitality. The Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix will take place on March 13-16. + 3 PhotosThe Albert Park pit lane complex will be replaced for the Australian F1 Grand Prix with completion expected ahead of the 2028 race First reported by motorsport site Speedcafe, Development Victoria is planning to replace the current building – built before the Grand Prix moved from Adelaide to Melbourne in 1996 – in time for the 2028 Australian F1 Grand Prix “We are delivering the redevelopment of the Albert Park pit building to meet the contemporary requirements to host the Formula One Australian Grand Prix and maximise its use by the community throughout the rest of the year,” Development Victoria said in a statement “The existing Albert Park pit building was built in 1995 and is used by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation for the annual Formula One event MORE: 2025 Australian F1 Grand Prix attracts record Melbourne crowd it is home to local indoor sport and a range of community sporting clubs that utilise the adjacent sporting fields.” The current building will be demolished after the 2026 race with new garage facilities in use the following year and the completed building – housing race day facilities for staff race administration and media – ready for 2028 Albert Park is locked in to run a Formula One (F1) Grand Prix until 2037 – one of the longest current agreements on the 24-race calendar – with new pit facility part of the agreement between the AGPC (Australian Grand Prix Corporation) and F1 The Melbourne event – a race-day sell out for the third year in a row in 2025 – has seen increased crowd capacity as facilities have been upgraded, resulting in repeat record attendance across the four-day event MORE: Lando Norris wins chaotic F1 Australian Grand Prix after Piastri spins out of contention Boosting local interest is the arrival of a second Australian driver on the grid, with Jack Doohan racing for Alpine in his first appearance in Melbourne alongside McLaren’s Oscar Piastri Upgrades for 2025 have seen the event into four precincts: Lakeside Melbourne Junction and Pit Stop Park.  A free ‘F1 Melbourne Fan Festival 2025’ has been introduced catering for fans who could not get grand prix tickets with driver and special guest appearances and other attractions at Melbourne Park Oval Fans are permitted to cross the track after the race – after it was outlawed last year with fans facing significant fines from Victoria Police if making any attempt – rebranded as the 'Track Walk' MORE: ‘Diamonds are created over time’ – Lewis Hamilton on the next generation of F1 drivers The pits for the V8 Supercars Championship teams have also been moved to the outside of the circuit at Turn 14 to allow more public access Major track upgrades were also made in 2022, including the re-shaping of several corners, a wider pit-lane with a 20km/h speed limit increase to 80km/h, as well as additional grandstands to increase capacity. Copyright Drive.com.au 2025ABN: 84 116 608 158 all prices are shown as Manufacturer's Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST FORD’S horror recent Supercars record at Albert Park could very well continue today in the final race of the second round of the Repco Supercars Championship The S650 Mustang GT remains winless at Albert Park in the Gen3 era with all 11 previous races falling the way of Chevrolet’s Camaro ZL1 Ford hasn’t won a Supercars race at the Melbourne GP venue in six years with General Motors’ overall streak standing at 15 across Holden and Chevrolet The last time a Ford won a Supercars race at Albert Park was Sunday in 2019 Scott McLaughlin’s Shell V-Power DJR Team Penske Mustang led home then-Tickford pilot Chaz Mostert’s Mustang to seal his third win at that event Triple Eight has claimed seven of the wins across the last three years of Gen3 with two to Erebus Motorsport in 2023 and two to Matt Stone Racing The 11-0 scoreline Chevrolet’s way is the biggest current active winning streak for one manufacturer at a particular circuit in Supercars racing There were no Supercars races at Albert Park in 2020 nor 2021 and Holden Commodores clean-swept all four races in 2022 The final race of this weekend’s MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint is today at Albert Park Red Bull Ampol Camaro pilot Broc Feeney will start from pole with Chevrolet drivers locking out the first two rows of the grid Friday race winner Cam Hill will start second with Cooper Murray starting a career-best third on the grid alongside Richie Stanaway The top Ford on the grid will be Monster Mustang pilot Cam Waters in fifth ahead of Penrite duo Matt Payne and Kai Allen 7 January 2025No Australian has 'officially' stepped on the podium in Australia The curse of the Australian F1® podium is well known in the hearts of motorsport enthusiasts no Australian has ‘officially’ stood on the podium at their home Grand Prix™ the seventh year in Albert Park’s world championship history Queanbeyan-born Mark Webber – who was 25 years old - took to the grid with a three-race contract to prove to Minardi that he had what it took to be in the top class Webber only needed one in arguably still the most significant moment in Albert Park’s F1® history READ: Rewind: Mark Webber's 2002 debut of dreams After Webber’s fifth on debut in Melbourne his Australian Minardi boss Paul Stoddart ushered him onto the podium – official celebrations had concluded – to celebrate his sensational debut with the crowd Webber didn’t finish higher than fourth in any of his subsequent 11 appearances The curse reared its head again in 2014 when Daniel Ricciardo made his Red Bull debut A season with new regulations saw Ricciardo start in second place on the grid after narrowly missing pole position to Lewis Hamilton in the final seconds of Saturday’s qualifying Ricciardo held second place behind Nico Rosberg who claimed the top spot with a poor start from Hamilton Ricciardo’s podium appearance sent the Albert Park crowd into a frenzy; the Aussie was joined by countryman and 1980 F1® world champion Alan Jones on the rostrum for the traditional celebration READ: Magic Melbourne Moments: Ricciardo’s (snatched) podium in 2014 But joy turned to despair later on Sunday evening; stewards discovered Ricciardo’s car had exceeded the maximum allowed fuel flow limit during the race The rule – new for 2014 – meant Ricciardo was excluded from the final result stripping the Australian of his podium finish and deducting his championship points When Albert Park returns to first place on the F1® calendar in 2025 Oscar Piastri would have to be as strong a possibility as any to break the curse and finally stand up on the podium McLaren's having arguably the fastest car for most of the season must bring confidence to the team ahead of their 2025 campaign Can Piastri go one further than his fourth in 2024 and finally break the curse FORD and its competitors have a theory as to why its winning ways vanished in recent days at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix: The aggressive kerbs of Albert Park upsetting the variable cam timing of its 5.4-litre Coyote engine The Supercars paddock was abuzz today with the suggestion, which happens to come at a time when the Gen3 Mustang is winless in 11 races at the Melbourne circuit “From the limited data that we have on our side there is a potential that the sawtooth profile of the kerb is causing some negative impact to our cam timing,” Ford Performance’s Australian motorsport engineering lead Brendan McGinnskin said when approached by V8 Sleuth “But nothing definitive says ‘yes that is it that is causing a huge deficiency in performance and that is the only problem that we have’ “I would say it’s more likely a combination of elements more than just specifically ‘it’s the kerbs and that is the only answer’.” That leads to a broader ongoing question mark around straight-line speed which even was present at last month’s Mustang-dominated Sydney 500 the timing data we have at SMP highlighted that there was some lopsidedness to the straight-line performance between brands,” said McGinniskin “There was a request from DJs (Ford homologation team Dick Johnson Racing) to investigate or at least highlight that to Supercars and say ‘look this is the data that we’ve got within timing and effectively that shows that we believe this is worth looking at’ we were the dominant brand in terms of the podiums and race wins and qualifying but when you break it down and use the data available we come here and our competitiveness is clearly not as strong as Sydney which is a valid point of feedback – they’re living it they’re driving the cars – that the cars don’t feel as competitive in a straight line “So effectively we have now got two tracks where that has been highlighted “So again it’s our job to highlight that to Supercars because ultimately they have both sides to the story they can compare to see whether it’s something we’re doing as a brand in terms of philosophy or whether it’s bigger or different or smaller than that like our engine is a variable cam timing engine The cam maps move to make our power curve match the Chev power curve so that is a variable element of our engine “Ultimately that’s one piece of making our engine deliver the right amount of power so if that is being adversely affected by kerbs whatever that happens to be in terms of the overall performance…” Ford ace Cam Waters holds second in the championship, seven points behind Will Brown, ahead of the Taupō Super440 next month. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Speedcafe can reveal plans are in place to replace the current F1 pit complex following the 2027 event “We are delivering the redevelopment of the Albert Park pit building to meet the contemporary requirements to host the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and maximise its use by the community throughout the rest of the year,” Development Victoria has said “The existing Albert Park pit building was built in 1995 and is used by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation for the annual Formula 1 event The existing Albert Park pit complex is one of the oldest and smallest on the F1 calendar with a significant upgrade planned for team garages It’s expected the new building will take two years to construct though the garage element will be ready for 2027 ahead of completion in time for the 2028 event “The upgrade will overhaul race day facilities for drivers media and spectators,” Development Victoria outlined “The current building will be demolished after the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix “The new garages and a temporary Paddock Club facility will be constructed for the 2027 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix “The new facility will be completed in time for the 2028 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.” The current pit complex in Albert Park is one of the oldest and smallest on the F1 calendar and has survived far longer than first intended The project does not yet have planning permission though consultation over the project has closed A new pit building was a stipulation of the latest contract between the AGPC and Formula 1 Albert Park has undergone significant upgrades in recent years with the circuit reprofiled ahead of F1’s return in 2022 That saw the elimination of a chicane on Lakeside drive and the reprofiling of a number of events Changes were also made to the pit lane which was widened by two metres and allowed the speed limit to be increased from 60km/h to 80km/h For this year, there have been minor changes to Turn 6 following a spate of heavy crashes at the past two events This weekend’s event is expected to boast a record crowd with organisers building a new grandstand at Turn 6 while slightly increasing the venue’s capacity SUPERCARS’ new Albert Park paddock setup has received a big tick from drivers After a year marooned inside the circuit in an area closed off to fans for OH&S reasons, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation moved the Supercars paddock outside the circuit to a new area behind the pit straight grandstands it also contained the Porsche Carrera Cup paddock plus displays from Ford Australia and a host of iconic cars from Formula 1 history The Grand Prix attracted a massive crowd across all four days setting a new Albert Park record total of 465,498 despite Sunday’s rain and that appeared to directly correlate with the large amount of fans wandering around the new Supercars paddock very long lines at Friday morning’s autograph signings in the Supercars paddock; those queued represented a wide demographic and many were wearing F1 team merch rather than Supercars gear There were also large turnouts for the post-race podium ceremonies under a bespoke structure in the heart of the precinct “I think it’s been fantastic for us,” Cameron Hill said at the end of the weekend having stood on the podium on Thursday and Friday “Last year we were tucked away in the paddock and some people might not have even known we were here until we hit the track “They can actually see the teams working on the cars which they never really get to do at any round because it’s pretty hard to sort of look into some of those garages “I think it was fantastic to be on show here and to touch a new audience.” Large crowds also lined the white plastic passageways as the cars headed out to and returned from the track “The placement was awesome, way better than being on the inside,” Macauley Jones told the Brad Jones Racing Run Down podcast “Everyone was out there with their cameras and filming it They were five or six people deep for hundreds of metres Reigning champion Will Brown was also taken by surprise at the volume of fans in the Albert Park paddock after a year without them “I think it’s great how that’s happened and the initiative to do it,” Brown said and I felt like there was nearly none because we were tucked away and we’d just work in our little team areas so we’d nearly see no fans for the whole weekend “So this year to have so many fans be able to come and look at our cars walking past …  some might be here to support F1 walk past our garage and go ‘how cool are these cars?’ “Hopefully we can bring them into being fans of Supercars.” ONE of the most dramatic moments of the Supercars season had a relatively niche knock-on effect nearly eight months later The Saturday race at Albert Park infamously involved a Ford fumble, as Cam Waters and Matt Payne collided while battling for the lead – paving the way for Triple Eight to make it five straight wins to open the year whose title hopes were already rapidly fading reacted by going over to Payne’s similarly stricken Mustang to give the young Kiwi a piece of his mind In an odd quirk, that clash ultimately helped David Reynolds beat Cameron Hill to 12th in an end-of-season standings deadlock When two (or more) drivers finish on the same number of points their best race result is the first means of deciding the tiebreak that was fifth in the opening race of the season at Mount Panorama Reynolds only managed one top five himself – when he was a beneficiary of the Waters/Payne stoush whose DNFs helped the Team 18 recruit finish fourth that day It means for the seventh time in the past eight seasons Reynolds ends up in the top half of full-timers in the championship (the one exception being 2021 when he missed two rounds at Sydney Motorsport Park) Hill meanwhile ends up just outside the lead dozen but still 10 spots up on where he placed in his rookie campaign For Motorsport purists and racing fanatics Motorsport Straight is your must-visit destination at Albert Park in 2025 TRACK changes made to Albert Park prior to its return to the Formula 1 world championship calendar in 2022 have ironically seemed to turn out most beneficial to Supercars The three F1 races since have not featured a whole heap of overtaking although the 2023 edition sure was chaotic with three red flag interruptions to the main event For all the criticisms Supercars sometimes gets about racing it sure has developed a reputation for fireworks “It’s our best track for racing by far,” asserted Broc Feeney “You can pass people probably five or six times a lap which is awesome.” Added David Reynolds: “The races are really short but always make for entertaining races There always seems to be a bit of chaos in these races for some reason the concertinas and the fast and slow corners involving a sprint race on each day – without what some would call the gimmicks of mixed tyre compounds – and an open standalone paddock V8 Sleuth recaps highlights from Supercars’ past three visits to Albert Park The opening race of the 2022 Melbourne 400 (i.e Supercars’ first contest at Albert Park in three years) did not disappoint as far as drama goes With the soft tyre much quicker than the harder alternative the consistent theory up and down the pitlane was to orchestrate spending as much of the race on the soft as possible – i.e start on the hard and ditch it as soon as possible or start on the soft and only make the compulsory switch in the closing laps It all looked rosy for Dick Johnson Racing with a 1-2 on the cards at one stage… until a string of soft tyre failures struck far sooner than anyone had anticipated Chaz Mostert went on to win a wild race from David Reynolds and Shane van Gisbergen One of the promises attached to Gen3 was closer racing and that was captured for the first time at the 2023 Melbourne SuperSprint albeit overshadowed by some major headaches Race 2 from that weekend particularly stands out and is worth rewatching via waving the Australian flag after the starting lights failed Chaos kicked off, and not just in the form of Reynolds getting buried in a gravel trap, as Nick Percat’s Mustang caught fire The race eventually resumed with a thrilling exchange as the four Erebus and Triple Eight Camaros went toe-to-toe The skirmish ultimately produced a first-time winner in Brodie Kostecki… Last year’s event was often about Ford friendly fire, most infamously involving Matt Payne and Cam Waters What shouldn’t be overlooked is the stellar underdog triumph that came on Grand Prix Sunday, as Percat outfoxed Feeney and Will Brown to help Matt Stone Racing become the first team other than Triple Eight to win in 2024 It was an outstanding display of racecraft from Percat and a particularly special result for him after a treacherous couple of years at Walkinshaw Andretti United that had left him on the brink of retirement RYAN Wood put Walkinshaw Andretti United on top after the end of the opening Supercars running at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix The Kiwi sophomore headed a mixed top 10 as teams ventured out in cool cloudy conditions for the first of five on-track sessions on Thursday at Albert Park Wood dropped in a late 1m47.8448s flyer to head the order a time that was just over 0.2s shy of the quickest time in the same session 12 months ago James Golding had held sway for much of the session the PremiAir Racing pilot posting a 1m48.7114s time on his first flying lap The top spot then changed hands rapidly in the final minutes Broc Feeney was the first to bump Golding off, only to be knocked off moments later by Erebus rookie Cooper Murray Will Davison was next to shuffle to the top of the order Wood wasn’t done – he pipped his fellow Kiwi by 0.0704s with his final lap of the session Davison’s time held for third ahead of Murray, with James Courtney another late improver for the Blanchard Racing Team Reigning champion Will Brown was next ahead of Nick Percat, Feeney and Chaz Mostert Rounding out the top 10 was rookie Aaron Cameron who ended his first session since taking over BRT’s #3 car just 0.8s off the fastest time and less than 0.3s behind his teammate The half-hour session ran trouble-free throughout save for the odd car dropping a wheel onto the wrong side of exit kerbs as drivers tested the limits around the Grand Prix circuit Most teams opted to do multiple runs as they sought to learn about Dunlop’s new soft tyre The exception was Macauley Jones who ran the whole session uninterrupted for a 16-lap run his fastest time was set on the 12th lap of the stint a 1m50.1311s that was 2.2s off Wood’s pace-setting effort All four Brad Jones Racing cars ended the session at the foot of the timesheets amid a general focus on long runs Supercars Practice 2 is scheduled for 1:25pm AEDT Officials in Melbourne have confirmed modification to Turn 6, which became a hot topic following last year’s event after George Russell suffered a terrifying crash late in the race It followed a heavy shunt for Alex Albon earlier in the weekend that wrote off his Williams chassis and left the squad with just one car for the remainder of the event Albon had crashed at the same corner in 2023 with his car rebounding onto the racing surface to trigger a red flag during the grand prix The right-hander has quickly become a favourite for drivers though that did not stop them voicing concerns it’s downshift to sixth and pretty much get back to full throttle so it’s a ballsy corner,” Daniel Ricciardo said of Turn 6 FIA race director Niels Wittich flagged the corner in a post-event report as one that needed attention “Turn 6 was one of the main track realignment changes we actually made to speed up that corner at the start of the DRS zone along the back straight,” Tom Mottram chief events officer for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and where we’ve landed with the FIA is there’s no changes to drivers right at all on Turn 6; it’s really all happening on drivers’ left.” Although changes to the apex radius were initially investigated artificial turf behind the kerbing itself removed The line of TecPro barriers has also been extended “There’s about a 90-metre kerb along there,” Mottram said of the exit of Turn 6 “What it’s been in the past is about 50-odd metres of that was a bevel kerb “What we’ve done now is actually just agree with the FIA that we change that whole kerb to a negative kerb the whole way so you’re not having that kind of accelerating off that kerb once you hit the bevel “We added in half a metre of concrete verge before the gravel trap just to allow a little bit of leeway there before getting into the gravel trap “And we’ve also moved back the barrier line there by two metres and actually added in more TecPro barriers at the end of that run and smoothened the taper to try and avoid that kind of bounce back into the track incidents that we’ve seen.” with the margin from the edge of the racing surface to the gravel only 1.5 metres even allowing for the tarmac strip behind the kerb The solution is designed to marginally slow drivers at the fast right-hander without unduly changing the character of the circuit With cornering speeds expected to slow with the introduction of new regulations in 2026 officials in Melbourne were mindful of going too far with changes this year “We could slow it down a lot by completely changing that apex but you lose the characteristics of that turn,” Mottram agreed “It’s certainly a consideration where you don’t want to make a whole bunch of changes for one additional year that will always take first and foremost and then take each change year by year.” This year’s Australian Grand Prix is the opening race of the season and will take place on March 13-16 Formula 1 is again supported by Formula 2 and Formula 3 while Supercars headlines the local undercard together with Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Local supports will this year be homed on the outside of the final corner having sat behind the second pit lane (which is occupied by F2 and F3) in 2024 The move has been made to improve paddock access to fans which was compromised by the choice of location last year MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: How Leclerc and Hamilton’s opposing Miami strategies culminated in fractious Ferrari radio exchanges MIAMI LOWDOWN: All the key moments as McLaren and Antonelli shine Red Bull's protest into Russell over yellow flags rejected by Miami stewards Prepare for your exciting trip to the Australian Grand Prix with these helpful tips and make the most of your F1 weekend while enjoying everything Formula 1 has to offer The action-packed Albert Park knows a thing or two about action and adventure hosting countless sporting events and home to outstanding sports facilities the park is transformed into one of the fastest and most exciting circuits on the calendar READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1 – Drivers, teams, cars, circuits and more Melbourne comes alive over the Grand Prix week with immensely popular off-track entertainment that matches the thrilling action on-track It is undoubtedly a perfect vibe and location for a memorable season opener Keep reading for some useful information and friendly advice to help you make the most of your visit Race Highlights: 2024 Australian Grand Prix Grand Stand and Hospitality*) must present their tickets via the Ticketmaster app (no screenshots allowed) OR a printed collector ticket sent via post prior to the event *Tickets for F1 Paddock Club and The American Express Lounge will be mailed prior to guests or made available for collection at the circuit ticket holders will have access to live music performances throughout the weekend All ticket holders also have access to free trams running to and from the city Welcome in the 2025 Formula 1 season at Albert Park including readily available accessible bathrooms There is no public Wi-Fi available to visitors Cash and card can both be used at the circuit however there are no ATMs at the circuit for cash withdrawals All those on this list as well as Australian Grand Prix merchandise A range of food and drink options are available at the circuit that will satisfy everyone’s taste Purchase merchandise of your favourite team and driver in the F1 Fanzone Alcoholic beverages are a prohibited item and cannot be brought into the circuit (alcohol may be purchased at the venue) Visitors are permitted to bring food into the venue alcohol is served at the circuit and available to those over the age of 18 Yes - Accessible seating is available in all categories of tickets reserved accessible wheelchair seating is available at the Schumacher Unreserved accessible wheelchair platforms are otherwise located at Turns 2 Grandstand and Park Pass tickets can be purchased online where an accessible wheelchair and carer seat are required There is an accessible shuttle available for visitors in wheelchairs or who are mobility impaired There is also support for those arriving by public transport to reach the venue with buggy services available from Gate 1 and 10 It is required that all children aged between 3 and 14 have a junior ticket to the event A child patron must be accompanied by an adult patron (18 years of age or over) at all times during attendance at the event Infants aged 2 years and under are permitted into the venue There are shuttle trams to and from Albert Park as often as every 1-2 minutes during peak times and 3-10 minutes outside of peak times from 05:30 to 22:00 Yes, there are a number of public transport options to get to the circuit including the tram, train, bus, cycling etc. Use the Journey Planner on the Australian Grand Prix website to help plan your trip over the weekend Don't miss your chance to experience the season-opener in Melbourne.. Piastri wins from Norris and Russell as McLaren seal commanding 1-2 in Miami Grand Prix Verstappen labels Miami Grand Prix ‘a struggle’ after slipping back to P4 as he reflects on gap to McLaren Driveable LEGO big builds welcomed to Miami drivers’ parade Cadillac unveil their team logo and brand during dazzling Miami launch event ahead of 2026 entry TREMAYNE: The tragic story of Mark Donohue – The American racer with a streak of steel behind his ‘Captain Nice’ nickname VideoWATCH: Ride onboard with Verstappen for his mighty pole lap in Miami AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from the Miami GP as Piastri wins in dominant McLaren 1-2 What the teams said – Sprint day and Qualifying in Miami © 2003-2025 Formula One World Championship Limited Play Duration: 9 minutes 19 seconds9m Brought to you by Parents at South Melbourne Park Primary School have had enough of annual disruptions caused by the Grand Prix, which prevents all access to the school for two days of the year. Katrina Walker, the South Melbourne Park Primary School Council President, told Ali Moore the school's NAPLAN test has to be delayed this year, while before and after school care is unavailable, as the school is inaccessible for the duration of the event.  Ms Walker is calling for some kind of compensation from the Grand Prix, which nearby schools in the same situation receive.  Meanwhile, the parents are also needing to raise $250,000 by themselves to install an air conditioning system in the school.  Press play to hear the full interview on 774 ABC Radio Melbourne Drive.  The Melbourne Grand Prix causes issues for South Melbourne Park Primary School each year(Tony Trung: ABC) Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio Driving standards were thrust into the spotlight at the season opener in Sydney where a more ‘play on’ approach was deployed by race control Baird did move to clarify that approach between Sydney and Albert Park however there were rumblings of confusion from drivers heading into the Melbourne SuperSprint That confusion is now paired with discontent after a bruising pair of opening races at Albert Park including an incident between Jack Le Brocq and Ryan Wood in Race 1 that left the former with a badly damaged car and the latter with a drive-through penalty The crash happened on the opening lap at Turn 5 with Wood sticking his nose inside Le Brocq which then spun the Erebus Camaro into the inside wall The decision to penalise Wood has proven controversial given there was overlap rather than it being direct front-to-rear contact That’s led to some criticism from both active Supercars drivers and former stars Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin who both took aim at Baird on social media — Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) March 14, 2025 did offer clarification to every driver in the field via text message on Thursday night pointing out that a code of conduct still exists and incidents can and will be judged on outcome particularly if it results in a damaged car “I wanted to share my thoughts on the recent racing spectacle which was truly amazing for the fans,” wrote Baird I feel that we are starting to cross the line of what constitutes hard but fair racing and it’s important that we maintain accountability and a duty of care for all drivers “We need to find a happy medium that works for everyone including the team owners who fund this sport “Please give each other enough racing room If avoidable contact leads to damage that significantly affects another driver “You all know what we are striving to achieve.” Baird confirmed to Speedcafe that he has made himself available to drivers across the weekend so far with Will Brown and Nick Percat the only two to have sought direct clarification 19 February 2025The Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit will have four new precincts each catering to the diverse fan base that Formula 1® now attracts With an attendance that in 2024 was approximately 44% female and younger crowds than years gone by the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 is being designed with something for all The Motorsport Straight precinct will be home to the new Supercars and Porsche Carrera Cup paddocks Open to the public these paddocks provide unrivalled access for superfans of the two popular national categories the new precincts will also include Lakeside which will be home to the very best of the city's food and hospitality More information on each precinct will be released in the coming weeks Supercars will have a fan-facing podium located in the Supercars Paddock which all racegoers with a Park Pass (general admission ticket) will also have access to while the 75th year of Formula 1® will be celebrated with a display of the evolution of the cars throughout the decades Ex-Formula 1® driver Romain Grosjean was in Melbourne this week ahead of the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 and spoke of his enthusiasm for the dedicated motorsport precinct "What a fan wants is to go close to the car close to the drivers and close to the winning driver so having a fan facing podium for the Supercars is going to be fantastic," said Grosjean "The fans will be able to get close to the winner smell the hot tires and champagne and have fun with the drivers For us that's something that is very unique who currently drives for Lamborghini in the IMSA SportsCar Championship and as a reserve driver in IndyCar has spoken of his admiration for the Supercars series after previously driving against category champion Scott McLaughlin in IndyCar "I watched Supercars when a good friend of mine was racing in it his teammate was Scott McLaughlin back in the day I watched them when I came here to the [Australian] Grand Prix Those guys are fantastic drivers," Grosjean said While Saturday and Sunday of the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 have sold out which are set to be bumper days both on and off the track Supercars and the Porsche Carrera Cup will both have races on Thursday and Friday while F2 and F3 will both have Thursday track appearances for the first time ever Melbourne Walk and the Fan Forum Stage will host plenty of famous faces both days the Crown Lakeside Festival will kick off in style with The Living End and Spiderbait increased number of bar and catering outlets in a bid to ensure fans can enjoy every moment of the action-packed event Quotes attributed to Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO "Our focus is always on improving and elevating the fan experience will deliver something unique to each of the fans that come through the gates of the Albert Park Circuit."  "The FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 is set to be the biggest yet For those fans who missed out on weekend passes we recommend getting in quick for the final Thursday and Friday tickets to see a huge on- and off-track program."  Bike riders know the best way to get to any big sporting event in Melbourne is on two wheels and Bicycle Network is offering an extra incentive to ride to the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 in March – free valet bike parking to be held at Albert Park from Thursday 13 March to Sunday 16 March will attract massive crowds and create a buzz across the city Bicycle Network’s free valet bike parking at Gates 5 and 10 will make it easy to choose a sustainable and active way to get to the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack says riding a bike to a big event is about more than just convenience “Our valet bike parking works just like a coat check receive a valet tag to ensure your bike is tracked then enjoy the F1 knowing your bike is stored securely “Melbourne is a world-class event destination and making active transport options accessible at major events like the Grand Prix is a huge step forward,” says McCormack “It’s about shaping the future of how we move through our cities if you’re heading to Albert Park for the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 park with us.”   Valet parking will operate on all event days, 30 minutes before the gates open, until 30 minutes after they close. For more details on the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 please visit: www.grandprix.com.au   Become a Member and help fund our advocacy work Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter The Great Victorian Bike Ride is set to return in 2025 on 24–28 November offering an exciting new format while keeping the spirit of this beloved event alive Bicycle Network Memberships offer benefits to all kinds of riders The Peaks Challenge Ride2School fundraiser is on again for this year's epic event on Sunday 9 March The City of Adelaide will undertake a speed limit review to understand the need for reducing speeds to support business and residents and create a safer city environment Work on the much-anticipated $38.9 million Sydney Harbour Bridge ramp upgrade has begun the bike lane will link the country's most famous bridge to the bike network in Milsons Point we launched our Affiliate Membership program specially designed for cycling groups and clubs Orange in New South Wales is in line for a nice new stretch of bike path one that will expand the off-road network and improve access to schools Work has kicked off on a key Canberra bike route setting the wheels in motion for safer and more pleasant journeys through the city’s northern suburbs In a submission to the federal government’s draft National Urban Policy Bicycle Network and seven other Australian bicycle organisations have called for active transport infrastructure funding to be increased to 10% of federal transport investment Many of our best bike journeys are along coastlines or up and down the creeks and rivers that meet the sea But with rising sea levels some of this vital infrastructure is at threat of inundation erosion and from changes in groundwater chemistry THE first qualifying session at Albert Park is one that neither Cam Waters nor Thomas Randle will look back on particularly fondly The Tickford Racing duo endured a dire session on the Thursday of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix weekend although they both salvaged top-10 race finishes later that afternoon If you thought it had been a hot minute since Tickford’s cars qualified that far down the grid You have to wind back the clock over two decades to find the last Supercars Championship race where no Tickford Racing cars featured inside the top 20 on the grid The occasion was the Queensland Raceway round of 2004, when the team then known as Ford Performance Racing managed no better than 26th on the 33-car grid with star drivers Craig Lowndes and Glenn Seton The circumstances surrounding the two results couldn’t be more different Tickford entered Albert Park atop the teams championship standings and Waters’ led the drivers points off the back of a perfect weekend at the Sydney 500 FPR was mired in one of the worst periods of its existence in July 2004 The factory-branded squad had started the season by moving into its big having slimmed down from three cars to two and was poised to reap the benefits of a new Prodrive UK-led engine program It got so bad at the preceding Wanneroo round that Lowndes had to sit out the final race of the weekend due to there being no serviceable engines left which also forced the team to postpone a scheduled test at Winton The engine problems and lack of testing meant no track time to improve the cars’ handling either both Seton and Lowndes were a second off provisional polesitter Marcos Ambrose’s best in qualifying “I was not happy with the car at all today,” Seton said in press release quotes whose bluntness is telling “We have a major imbalance that affected power down traction and turning – it is a very hard car to get any speed out of at the moment.” a gearchange issue contributed to his woes “We are still suffering from our high speed understeer problems and we don’t have the right balance for the car in the slow corners particularly turns 3 and 6,” his similarly-honest press release quotes offered we should have done a better job as the car was better than what our fastest lap today displayed “I had a gearbox problem during the session as well the gearstick kept jumping out of 4th gear through turns 1 and 2 Lowndes retired with an engine failure just before half-race distance while Seton was on course for a top-10 finish when his car suffered an alternator failure The #5 Falcon ran out of battery power on the final lap The period proved the rock bottom upon which FPR rebuilt itself into a squad capable of challenging for wins in 2005 and 2006 and a title threat in the years that followed But the changes came too late to retain Lowndes, who announced his departure for Triple Eight just weeks after the QR round, while Seton left for Dick Johnson Racing at year’s end Nick Percat entered the 2024 Supercars Championship season with a fresh start after joining Matt Stone Racing Percat’s resurgence was evident as he claimed race victories at both the 2024 Melbourne SuperSprint / Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and Symmons Plains rounds Percat continues to demonstrate his exceptional talent particularly at the Melbourne SuperSprint round once again who clinched his first Supercars victory in a thrilling 1-2 finish for the team Bendix returns as Percat's primary sponsor for the 2025 season black and white colours featured in the livery make his No 10 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Supercar one of the most eye-catching cars in the field In the case the manufacturer does not produce the item Max Verstappen has ended the third free practice for the Australian Grand Prix in P3 During the last free practice training for the season opener in Melbourne the Oracle Red Bull Racing-driver was comfortably occupying first place for a good stretch of time but in the last minutes hometown hero Oscar Piastri George Russell in his Mercedes managed to squeeze his car between the two drivers Max’s 1:16.002 time was ultimately just 81-thousandths of a second off Piastri’s time Published on 15 March 2025 by Florence Cobben the third and final free practice gets underway on the 5.278 meter long Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit Just as the first drivers are starting to get find their bearings Oliver Bearman spun at turn eleven and the Haas is stuck in the gravel It’s another disappointment for the British driver who yesterday already saw little track time after a hefty crash during the first free practice With just three quarters of an hour on the clock Max and teammate Liam Lawson’s Red Bulls head out on soft tyres Max sets a 1:17.632 time in his first flying lap Sometime later Piastri improves on Max’s time but Max counters by setting a 1:16.646 time on a set of new tyres putting him well ahead of yesterday’s fastest time After a couple of laps Max returns to the pits and Russell takes advantage by setting a time good for first place Norris further demotes Max by setting a time good for second The Williams drivers also have promising pace and nestle between Russell and Norris on the timesheets Max heads out again for another flying lap Max flies to first place with a 1:16.002 time Piastri later becomes the first driver to duck under 1 minute 16 seconds but has to abort his lap after an incident in turn eleven and twelve while hometown hero Piastri can be satisfied with having secured the fastest time Behind the top three follow Charles Leclerc In P4 and Andrea Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes in P5 while the Williams’ of Sainz and Albon show strong performances with sixth and seventh places The New Zealander complained of a lack of power on his first flying lap and returned to the pits from which he did not emerge for the remainder of the session Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix will start at 6:00 a.m Contest GP Australia: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing 2025 cap! Follow Max on social media and keep informed Second place starter Brown beat teammate pole-sitting Triple Eight teammate Broc Feeney to the first corner and controlled two Safety Car restarts to take the win fought off DJR duo Brodie Kostecki and Will Davison to round out the podium It was a thrilling finish to another action-packed Supercars race peppered with action throughout the field and ultimately running to its time cut-off after 15 or 19 laps “It was a really fast pace there and with the Safety Cars everyone was going flat out,” said Brown we weren’t sure what the tyres were going to do but ended up bringing it home in first.” The opening lap featured three major incidents the last of which triggered the deployment of the Safety Car Third place starter Matt Payne was the first victim spun at Turn 1 after contact from Cooper Murray who had in turn received contact from Davison David Reynolds was the next to be facing the wrong direction his Camaro rotating at Turn 4 after side-on contact with Bryce Fullwood In the middle of that scrap was Thomas Randle who suffered a flat tyre from contact with Aaron Cameron who was punted into the Turn 11 gravel trap by Chaz Mostert The WAU ace had braked too late while attempting to pass Murray locked his inside front wheel and slammed into the PremiAir Camaro Racing resumed once Golding was recovered from the gravel and the man on the move was Percat who took second from Feeney and began to pressure Brown overtaking Davison for fourth place and the honour of lead Mustang Racing was again interrupted on lap six when Murray speared off at Turn 11 and head-butted the tyre barrier Feeney fought back on Percat at the second restart sliding down the inside of the MSR Camaro into Turn 1 Percat fell back from the Triple Eight duo in the remaining laps and then came under huge pressure from the DJR Mustangs on the final lap Struggling with what appeared a power steering issue Percat was overtaken by Kostecki into Turn 11 only for Percat to take the place back at the next corner Percat and Kostecki ran side-by-side through the final turn the former hanging onto the podium spot and the latter losing out to Davison at the line WAU duo Ryan Wood and Mostert ended up sixth and seventh albeit the later with an asterisk next to his name following the early contact with Golding Cam Waters and Cam Hill completed the top 10; Waters having charged through from 19th on the grid who had spun to last at Turn 1 before driving back through to 11th A fourth and final Supercars race will complete the Melbourne SuperSprint at Albert Park on Sunday THE Blanchard Racing Team has stumbled across another hurdle in its weekend from hell at Albert Park Motorsport Australia stewards have disqualified the #7 Mustang of James Courtney from the second qualifying session this morning that had set the grid for Sunday’s race “Car 7 failed technical inspection post qualifying for Race 7 and has been disqualified from qualifying for Race 7 and will start rear of grid,” read the stewards report “The Vehicle Specification Document (VSD) Article 3.11 has a maximum Rear Wing Angle of 10.0 degrees “The Team Representative did not dispute the process or the measurement (10.2 degrees) to determine the alleged breach “The Representative advised the team had made a change to the rear wing angle prior to the first qualifying session (Race 6) to 9.5 degrees “Then another adjustment to the Rear Wing was made prior to the commencement of the second qualifying session (Race 7) by lifting the Rear Wing one notch higher prior noting the Team didn’t have time to check the angle measurement.” Courtney had qualified 20th and would have moved up to 19th on the grid with Will Brown’s penalty for baulking Chaz Mostert, but will be sent to the rear of the grid, with James Golding, André Heimgartner, Aaron Cameron and Mostert each gaining a spot Golding and Heimgartner had already picked up a place thanks to Brown’s punishment It follows Courtney missing the pair of Thursday qualifying sessions plus the opening race of the weekend after crashing heavily during practice BRT will fill the back row of the grid for this afternoon’s race starting 5:40pm local time with Courtney lining up 23rd and Cameron 24th * Brown penalised three grid positions for baulking Mostert THE officials responsible for the decision to abandon Sunday’s Supercars race at Albert Park were not pressured by Supercars personnel or teams to make that call Race 7 of the 2025 season began behind the Safety Car amid heavy rain but was red-flagged just before the field crossed the line to start the third of 14 scheduled laps when the conditions worsened Although conditions improved during the stoppage the tight time constraints faced by support categories at Formula 1 events meant that time ran out before the race could restart The race was abandoned with no result declared and no championship points awarded REACTION: Xiberras baffled by Supercars race abandonment ‘PLANE CRASH’: Veteran Supercars stars back red flag call It was widely speculated that the decision to abandon the race was driven by the tight turnaround required for the upcoming Taupō round with some teams needing to put cars and equipment into containers on Monday ahead of being shipped to New Zealand the experienced Motorsport Australia official that serves as Race Director for the Supercars Championship the only group involved in any discussion was the Race Direction team in the office up in Race Control and the three Stewards that were down in the Stewards office,” Taylor told V8 Sleuth “The only time we approached Supercars personnel was when we made our decision (to abandon the race) and we were just giving them a heads-up as we were announcing it “We weren’t receiving any external pressure contrary to what you may read on social media “(There was no) thinking about New Zealand; it was more about how we were going to best work with the scenario (at hand) “We didn’t (let them race) and we’re getting criticised; if we had and there had been a wreck we would have got criticised for that as well “So we made our decision on the grounds of safety “That’s the rationale we took on that The Race Direction team comprises Taylor as Race Director there are three Motorsport Australia Stewards at each event; at Albert Park there’s always a group discussion between the Race Direction team and the Stewards We ask their opinion on some things as required,” Taylor explained Rain had been lashing Albert Park all morning causing havoc with the Formula 3 race that preceded Supercars on the schedule but running hypothetical ideas around based on what had played out in the F3 race before us; they had numerous cars aquaplaning off and having incidents,” Taylor said It wasn’t like a monsoon; it would come down in bands “But the BoM (radar) maps aren’t always 100% They’re just a good indicator of what’s coming and what has been “Our mutual agreement is we always just see what conditions are like when it comes to our time (but) we had an idea of what we’d do “Once the F3 personnel moved out of Race Control “We got (the Supercars field) out for a reconnaissance lap The Grand Prix has a weather app going upstairs in Race Control the cars were on the grid for five to 10 minutes because there was a grid walk we had (recovery coordinator) Alistair Walker and some of the other recovery personnel running around the flood maps and Alistair started to give us feedback on where there was standing water in certain spots “There was a decision made then to start the race behind the Safety Car so then we moved into the Safety Car start process “There’s been some comments that we should have increased the speed (or) that we should have just let them go on two formation laps you’re always controlling the speed and you’re controlling the groupings of the cars some will go 80km/h on a formation lap and some will try and go faster and then what are the ramifications if someone then loses control on something they didn’t see coming the best option for us was a Safety Car start.” The race technically began when the field departed the grid behind the Safety Car as the procedure bypasses the traditional formation lap driver of the Safety Car) all the time,” Taylor explains “He was giving us feedback where more standing water was starting to come to prominence  A couple streams were running across the track because it was quite windy at the same time so there was a fair bit of wind force behind it all we asked him if he was comfortable to increase his speed to 100 km/h and then we were watching all the CCTV footage and “It was a four-way discussion with us up in Race Control and we started running some theories (on how to proceed).” Baird was also scanning the team radios and listening to feedback on the track conditions directly from the drivers “(Some) were talking about aquaplaning even when we were under the Safety Car period in some spots Some of the feedback that they were getting was that it wasn’t improving “That’s when the decision to suspend the race was made.” With the weather radar suggesting the rain was likely to soon ease off or stop altogether and the relatively good drainage at Albert Park able to be aided by marshals clearing away puddles with brooms the Race Direction crew began to look at restarting the race we’re the fourth-tier support category and the time constraints are pretty much set in stone,” Taylor explained The time component started to take away any chance we had of resuming.” the race was suspended at 10:33 local time The decision to abandon the race came at 10:45 eight minutes before the time-certain finish time slated for 10:53 but we have the ability to seek permission from the stewards and promoters to move them whereas we don’t have that margin of flexibility at the Grand Prix,” Taylor explained you’ve got to commence the procedure from the five-minute signal and it got to the point where we couldn’t restart it and still comply with the process The time constraints became the hindering point “Every decision was made as a group decision by the Race Direction team and the Stewards It was just the seven of us having constant conversations about track conditions The time constraints came in (and) caused us a bigger issue which didn’t allow us to do anything after that.”