F1 to race on Great Ocean Road

In a stroke of marketing genius, a Formula One car will belt along the Great Ocean Road in a world-first stunt to promote Victoria and the Australian Grand Prix to the world.

The brainchild of Tourism Victoria and the Australian Grand Prix Corp, the stunt will take place in the lead-up to next month’s GP at Albert Park.

The iconic stretch of road will be closed for the event, with the F1 car, which is capable of reaching 300km/h, to be filmed by air and land near landmarks such as the Twelve Apostles.

The resulting footage will then be used to sell Australia to the world. Details of the event remain secret, but it’s understood the F1 car won’t exceed 80km/h during the stunt.

Using Formula One cars to create publicity is a proven winner for tourism, and grand prix ticket sales. Webber previously raced his car across Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge in 2011 and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2005. Jenson Button also lapped the historic Bathurst circuit in an F1 car in 2011, setting a lap record that is unlikely ever to be broken.