Construction of the Albert Park track and grandstands for the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix has kicked off, ahead of race day on Sunday, 15 March.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today visited Albert Park to see work being carried out at the circuit to cater for an expected four-day crowd in excess of 300,000.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Grand Prix being held at Albert Park and with Formula 1 executives last year taking up a two-year race extension, the F1 extravaganza is locked in for Victoria until at least 2025.
Major events contribute more than $2.5 billion to Victoria’s economy each year, attracting 6.9 million international and interstate visitors. The Grand Prix is one of four pillars of the major events calendar, along with the Australian Open, the AFL Grand Final and the Spring Racing Carnival.
Victorian businesses are instrumental in building and dismantling the Albert Park circuit – Australia’s largest pop-up event – an endeavour that requires more than 290,000 hours of labour.
By end of the build, 5.3 kilometres of track will be marked and race-ready, 27,048 grandstand seats will have been erected and more than 450km of fibre optic cabling installed to enable track timing and race broadcasts.
The Grand Prix attracted an estimated crowd of 324,000 across four days in 2019, including 102,000 on race day. This year’s event will feature exhibitions commemorating the 25th anniversary of the race at Albert Park while global superstar Robbie Williams will perform at Lakeside Oval in a separately ticketed event.
The 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix kicks off on Thursday, March 12. For more information, go to .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula
“We’ve just seen a record crowd attend the Australian Open at Melbourne Park and now work is well under way to prepare for another major event that will take Victoria to the world.”
“Melbourne is the only city on the planet that hosts a Formula 1 race and a Grand Slam tennis tournament – it’s a remarkable double.”
“Victorian workers and businesses are big winners in the building of the Grand Prix precinct at Albert Park, as they are over the four days of the event.”
Quotes attributable to Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Paul Little
“This year marks a significant milestone for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix – 25 years at Albert Park.”
“Since the inaugural race in 1996, the Grand Prix has developed a reputation for being an event like none other, boosting tourism, creating employment and bringing vibrancy to our wonderful state.”
Reviewed 28 June 2020