Formula 1 aficionados: Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
Formula One’s Australian showpiece is heading back to Melbourne for yet another instalment of Australian motorsport’s greatest weekend.
Australian-based fans rejoiced at news the sport’s showpiece event has been renewed until at least 2035. Traditionally, race weekend is a chance for Australian motorsport fans to soak in an atmosphere they’re only exposed to once a year and rub shoulders with the drivers they know and love.
In recent years, the event has been made all the more sweeter by the rising stock of two Aussies leaving their mark on the sport; Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri.
Ricciardo, the man who introduced the ‘shoey’ into global social discourse, is one of Australia’s most recognisable sporting faces. Fun loving and highly affable, the Perth-born speedster is in the twilight of his illustrious career, having been handed a lifeline by Red Bull midway through 2023.
At the other end of the F1 career spectrum, Oscar Piastri is one of the game’s brightest stars, driving for one of its most iconic teams, McLaren. The Australian ended 2023 ninth in the sport’s official standings after he recorded the second most points ever by a Formula 1 rookie (97).
Aussie F1 fans will undoubtedly be chomping at the bit to see the pair Aussie superstars flying through Melbourne.
Ahead of what will undoubtedly be the one of the most attended Australian sporting events next year, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
2024 Australian Grand Prix: What you need to know
When is the Australian Grand Prix?
March 22-24
Even with 2024 marking the beginning of Formula 1’s shift towards a regionalised calendar, a move undertaken to increase the sport’s sustainability, the Melbourne Grand Prix remains at a similar time of year.
The entire event will be staged between March 22-24, culminating in what will be a thrilling Sunday race.
Australian Grand Prix date and time
Sunday 24 March, Albert Park, Melbourne, 3pm
Where is the Australian Grand Prix?
Albert Park
Since shifting to Albert Park, in south Melbourne, back in 1996, the Melbourne Grand Prix has been held at the now-iconic venue every year bar two, 2020 and 2021, when COVID-19 forced the event’s cancellation.
How can I watch the Australian Grand Prix?
Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Melbourne Grand Prix website, here.
For avid fans not migrating to the Victorian capital for the race, Kayo Sports is the traditional Australian home of the F1. However, as has been the case in previous years, the Aussie Grand Prix is also broadcast live and free on 10 and 10Play.
What is the Formula One state of play?
Flying Dutchman, Max Verstappen, is the reigning champion once again, having wiped the floor with the field on the way to his third consecutive World Drivers Championship title in 2023.
Ever since the Red Bull man controversially secured his maiden title from the clutches of perennial champion, Lewis Hamilton, back in 2021, he hasn’t looked like conceding it.
Verstappen, and Red Bull’s, domination of the sport is frankly remarkable, and doesn’t look like slowing down.
Despite a host of rising stars staking their claim for an F1, much of the driving grid remains settled heading into 2024.
Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez remain the clear top dogs at Red Bull racing, even with Ricciardo breathing down the Mexicans neck. The Aussie will drive alongside Japanese youngster, Yuki Tsunoda, for the Red Bull affiliated team, Alpha Tauri.
Fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri owns one of the most secure seats in Formula 1 at McLaren, and alongside teammate Lando Norris, himself safe in his current position, the pair form a formidable youthful driving line up.
Another pair who won’t be worrying about jobs for the time being are Mercedes British duo George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
The Brackley-based team are confident they have a future World Champion in Russell, who’s shown inconsistent promise since arriving from Williams. While in Hamilton they boast arguably the sports greatest ever competitor, who’s seven world titles is rivalled only by Michael Schumacher.
Schumacher’s former team, Ferrari, have had a few years to forget. If the iconic team is not careful they’ll squander the best years of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr., both of who come off contract at the end of 2024.
