Melbourne to host Australian F1 race until 2035 / Photo: © AFP
-
Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 58, hit flour trucks
-
Syria's rebel victors expose ousted government's drug trade
-
Man Utd grab win at Plzen in Europa League, Chelsea keep perfect record
-
Slovakia protests against minister who tests culture, LGBT limits
-
Hojlund brace as Man Utd beat Plzen in Europa League
-
Google renews push into mixed reality headgear
-
Riller & Schnauck appoints Oliver Hein as new COO and strengthens operational management
-
Rapes, torture, killings -- a litany of abuses blamed on Assad forces
-
Virgin Galactic eyes possible expansion into Italy
-
Escalation feared as Georgia pro-EU protests enter third week
-
Thousands attend funeral of Afghan minister
-
Single heat wave wiped out millions of Alaska's dominant seabird
-
Chanel names Matthieu Blazy to enter new artistic era
-
Brazil's 2026 elections, without Lula or Bolsonaro?
-
Four face trial for online targeting of Brigitte Macron
-
Macron prepares to name new French PM
-
Prison will not silence me, Iran's Mohammadi says
-
Dortmund to host Germany's Nations League clash with Italy
-
Man City's Walker calls for action after online racist abuse
-
Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 33, hit flour trucks
-
French prosecutors seek up to 14 years in jail for rugby players in rape trial
-
Climate change intensified back-to-back Philippines storms: study
-
'Unparalleled talent': India lauds new chess king Gukesh
-
ECB cuts rates again, Lagarde says eurozone 'losing momentum'
-
Brazil's Lula 'cognitively healthy' after operations
-
Rate cuts fail to spur European stocks
-
Trump 'vehemently' opposed to Ukraine firing missiles deep into Russia
-
UN investigators say 4,000 Syrian rights abusers identified
-
Indian teen prodigy becomes youngest world chess champ
-
ECB cuts rates again as eurozone hit by economic, political woes
-
Time Magazine names Donald Trump person of the year for second time
-
Macron expected to name new French PM
-
Salome Zurabishvili: defiant champion of Georgia's EU dream
-
Syria govt pledges 'rule of law' after Assad's overthrow
-
'No longer of this time': Miss Netherlands pageant scrapped
-
Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 33
-
Swiss central bank announces big rate cut to boost economy
-
European stocks rise after surprise Swiss rate cut
-
Cycling chiefs move to ban controversial carbon monoxide use
-
Fourth suspect held in deadly Dutch building collapse
-
Suspense mounts as Macron expected to name new French PM
-
Russians suffer rising costs of Ukraine conflict
-
K-pop, carols, free food at South Korea impeachment protests
-
Syrian whose selfie with Merkel went viral wants to stay in Germany
-
Sweden ends rape investigation allegedly targeting Kylian Mbappe
-
Israel condemned by media groups over Gaza journalist 'massacre'
-
Sweden ends rape inquiry allegedly targeting Kylian Mbappe
-
Gaza rescuers say Israel kills 33 in morning strikes
-
Suspense mounts as Macron prepares to unveil new French PM
-
'Taste of love': Donkey milk cheese meets success in Albania
NYSE - LSE
| RYCEF | 0.95% | 7.35 | $ | |
| SCS | -2.09% | 12.93 | $ | |
| BCE | -0.56% | 25.825 | $ | |
| NGG | -0.99% | 59.48 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.29% | 24.22 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.29% | 24.56 | $ | |
| RBGPF | 0.75% | 60.96 | $ | |
| RIO | -2.44% | 63.43 | $ | |
| BCC | -1.84% | 139.905 | $ | |
| VOD | -1.04% | 8.68 | $ | |
| RELX | 0.01% | 47.345 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.08% | 13.29 | $ | |
| BTI | -0.48% | 37.56 | $ | |
| BP | -0.56% | 30.16 | $ | |
| GSK | -0.83% | 34.165 | $ | |
| AZN | -0.69% | 66.94 | $ |
Melbourne to host Australian F1 race until 2035
The Australian Grand Prix will continue to be held in Melbourne until 2035 after race organisers announced a new 10-year agreement with Formula One on Thursday, beating off rival bids from Sydney and the Gold Coast.
The race was first run in 1928 and has been held at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne since 1996.
It attracted record crowds in April when it returned for a race won by the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc after missing out in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"The race has always been a favourite for the fans, drivers and the teams, and Melbourne is an incredible and vibrant international city that is a perfect match for our sport," Formula One president Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.
Organisers said that nearly 420,000 people attended over four days this year, eclipsing the previous record of 401,000 set at Melbourne's inaugural grand prix in 1996.
The scenes were a big factor in Albert Park seeing off rival bids and securing the race for the next 13 seasons.
Sydney, the Gold Coast and Adelaide were thought to be among those wanting to grab a piece of the Formula One action.
Formula One's popularity has hit new heights thanks in part to the Netflix series Drive to Survive, which has attracted a younger audience and made drivers into superstars.
"The race is here to stay," said Martin Pakula, the Victoria state government's minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events.
"It's an Australian icon and the fact that we'll be here until at least 2035 is something that all motor racing fans, all major event fans and hopefully all Victorians can be very, very excited about."
Formula Two and Three races will be added to the grand prix weekend in Australia for the first time next season.
"This is a sensational announcement that is simply great for Melbourne and Victoria," said Australian Grand Prix chief Andrew Westacott.
"It builds on our rich motorsport history as well as Melbourne's love of big sporting events and provides aspiration to the next generation of Aussie racing stars."
Next year's race weekend dates are yet to be announced.
Melbourne used to be the first race of the season but this year was the third of the new campaign.
M.Furrer--BTB