An FIA verdict has been revealed ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season opener at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
Motorsport’s pinnacle returns to the Albert Park circuit, with the popular track opening the 24-race calendar for the first time since 2019.
In the years since the 2021 calendar reshuffle, the F1 season has kicked off in Bahrain. Pre-season testing At the Sakhir circuit, but with two Australian drivers on the grid in 2025, fans will be delighted to see the track return to its opening spot.
The street track will host new F1 driver Jack Doohan and McLaren’s star Oscar Piastri At their home race and ahead of the first Grand Prix of the year, fans were handed another boost in an official ruling from the sport’s governing body.
At the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, anxious fans headed to the circuit for a track invasion, but there were still cars on the track, prompting changes to be made that were forced to be implemented the following year as a result.
The 2023 edition of the Albert Park race saw fans spill out onto the track prematurely and prompted major safety concerns after they managed to get close to Nico Hulkenberg’s stranded Haas, which clearly had a flashing warning light indicating the machinery was unsafe.
THE incident prompted an official FIA investigation into the safety of the event, with F1’s governing body finding the organisers in serious breach of the sporting code, fining them €120,000 and issuing a post-race walking ban for 2024 to block access to the track.
Ahead of this year’s event, however, the Australian Grand Prix confirmed that fans will resume track access in 2025, with revised safety measures.
Steve Dimopoulos, Minister of Tourism, Sports and Major Events confirmed the news in an official statement, saying: “The track walk is back! When the race ends on Sunday, fans will be able to step out onto the track and safely soak up the atmosphere of this internationally acclaimed race.
“The Grand Prix is ​​one of Melbourne’s most iconic major sporting events – events like this create thousands of jobs for Victorians and fill our hotels, cafes and local attractions.”
Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis Auld added: “The walk on track is a unique and beloved experience for our fans, and we are very excited to be able to welcome it back for 2025 and have this incredible moment shared around the world.
“There’s nothing like seeing passionate fans join in the celebration after the race and we can only hope that this year they’re celebrating an Australian on the podium.”
