Published: 2 April 2024
This year’s Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix has smashed attendance records and created a huge jobs boost for Victorians.
Approximately 452,022 motorsport enthusiasts streamed through the Albert Park gates over the 4 days, making this the largest motorsport event in Australia’s history. This was capped by a record Sunday attendance of approximately 132,106.
More than 45,000 grandstand seats were packed with visitors from across Victoria, interstate and overseas to see the world’s best drivers.
The huge build featured 12km of track barriers, 99 portable buildings and more than 36,000 square metres of corporate facilities. The event build and dismantle alone generates over 2,500 jobs. It also supports broad sections of Victoria’s significant event supply chain.
All eyes were on the Aussies this year as it was the first time since 2013 that 2 Australian drivers have made the starting grid. Homegrown hero Oscar Piastri and favourite Daniel Ricciardo kept fans on the edge of their seats, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz taking out the chequered flag, with Piastri narrowly missing out on a medal.
Formula 2 and Formula 3 were back after debuting in 2023. Australian F3 drivers Christian Mansell and Tommy Smith taking on their second seasons and stunning crowds in the support series.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis Auld was thrilled with another very successful year for one of Melbourne's main events.
‘It’s an incredibly exciting time for Australian motorsport with so much talent across the categories. We couldn’t be prouder to host the Formula 1 back here in Melbourne, the events capital of Australia.’
It was a massive line-up of Australian artists off the track too. International superstar Amy Shark and local artists Jet and Vanessa Amorosi, the Presets and Empire of the Sun all hit the stage. The event also featured family-friendly trackside entertainment, and food and wine from some of the biggest names in Victoria’s iconic restaurant scene.
The world-class 4-day Grand Prix continues to be a pillar of the state’s major events calendar. It moved to Victoria from South Australia in 1996 and is secured in Victoria until 2037.
The Formula 1® Grand Prix is big business for Victoria. Last year’s event generated $268 million for the Victorian economy and created an estimated 1,149 full-time equivalent jobs.
The 2023 event brought almost $100 million more to Victoria’s visitor economy than the 2022 event.
Images of Melbourne and Victoria’s regions reached nearly 3 million Australians. Adding millions more around the globe, it was a powerful advertisement for Victoria.
Victoria’s calendar of major events gives locals the chance to enjoy world-class culture, sports and entertainment. It also provides a boost of over $3.3 billion a year to our economy.
