Melbourne to Kick Off 2025 Formula 1 Season

Melbourne is set to host the opening race of the 2025 Formula 1 season, marking a return to the top spot on the calendar after a hiatus since 2019.

Scheduled for 16 March, the 2025 Australian Grand Prix will be the earliest edition since 2015. The shift in timing is due to Ramadan, which has prevented Bahrain from holding its traditional opening slot on the record-equalling 24-round calendar announced by Formula 1 and the FIA.

Under its current contract, Melbourne will host the season’s inaugural round at least five times before 2037. This arrangement ensures Australian fans will witness Lewis Hamilton’s debut race for Ferrari, following his decision to depart from Mercedes.

With 11 wins each, Ferrari and McLaren share the title of the most successful teams in the history of the Australian Grand Prix. Hamilton has claimed victory twice in Melbourne, trailing record-holder Michael Schumacher by two wins.

Melbourne-native Oscar Piastri is confirmed for next season, while Daniel Ricciardo seeks to extend his contract beyond the current one-year deal with RB. Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan is also eyeing a spot on the 2025 grid.

The upcoming race will mark the 28th edition of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park and the 39th Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Melbourne has consistently surpassed its attendance records since the race resumed post-pandemic, with a record 132,106 attendees this year and a total of 452,055 fans over four days.

Carlos Sainz clinched victory in this year’s Grand Prix for Ferrari, followed by teammate Charles Leclerc, after pole-sitter Max Verstappen retired due to a brake fire.

Following the Melbourne race, Formula 1 will head to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix on 23 March. A weekend break will precede a triple-header across Japan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, concluding on Easter weekend. The schedule will then follow a similar pattern to the current season.