Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix locked in until 2035

Australian Formula 1 fans, let us rejoice – the Australian Grand Prix has been given one of the biggest contract extensions in F1 history, secured until 2035.

Announced this morning by Formula 1 and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC), Melbourne's Albert Park will remain on the calendar for more than a decade, with its current contract – which ran through to 2025 – has been extended to 2035.

The decision to come back to Australia for the next 13 years will also include the addition of Formula 2 and Formula 3 to the support card, marking the first time either series has come Down Under in the World Championship era.

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Ferrari's Charles Leclerc won this year's Australian Grand Prix

Circuit upgrades and a two-year hiatus thanks to the global pandemic drew record crowds for this year's Australian Grand Prix, with the 419,000 four-day attendance making it the second-largest weekend for a sporting event in Australian history – behind only the 1995 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide.

Former Ferrari F1 team boss and current F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said the long-term deal reflected the mutual love between the sport and Australia.

"I am delighted to confirm that Melbourne and the Albert Park circuit will continue to be on the Formula 1 calendar until 2035," Domenicali said.

"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. This year we saw huge crowds and passionate fans at the Grand Prix, and we are very excited by the future in Australia as our sport continues to grow.

"I want to thank the Victorian Government, Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria and Martin Pakula, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events for their tireless support for the event in Melbourne, as well as Andrew Westacott and Paul Little from the AGPC for making this already long-term partnership secure for the future. We are all looking forward to being back in Melbourne next season with all our fans.”

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The 2022 Australian Grand Prix saw 419,000 people attend over four days

AGPC CEO Andrew Westacott said the contract extension builds on Melbourne's claim to be Australia's sporting capital.

“This is a sensational announcement that is simply great for Melbourne and Victoria," said 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.

"We’re proud of our strong relationship with Formula 1 and together we will grow the sport in Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Everyone at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation looks forward to taking the Formula One Australian Grand Prix to new levels over the course of the next 13 years.”

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Melbourne-born Oscar Piastri won the 2021 Formula 2 title (pictured) and the 2020 Formula 3 championship for Prema

Despite enduring a tough season so far with McLaren, West Australian Daniel Ricciardo is locked in with the Woking-based team until the end of next year, potentially being joined by fellow Australian – and reigning back-to-back Formula 2 and Formula 3 champion – Oscar Piastri on next year's Grand Prix grid.

The addition of the junior Forumla categories to the line-up could come at the cost of local supports, as this year's undercard featured the Supercars Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and S5000 – the latter of which is at the highest risk of being dropped.