Australian Formula One Grand Prix extended to 2037

The Australian Grand Prix will run till at least 2037 after the Victoria State Government announced they secured a two-year extension to the 10-year deal they struck earlier this year. 

The Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne has hosted the Grand Prix since 1996. Before that, the event was in Adelaide. 

After a year-break because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the race returned this year and drew a total crowd of 419,000, a record for an Australian sporting weekend. 

"The Labor Government has secured Melbourne as host of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix for an additional two years, with the global racing event to be held in the nation's sporting capital until at least 2037," read a statement on the website of State Premier Daniel Andrews's website. 

"The extension comes on top of the 10-year deal already secured by the Labor Government earlier this year. 

"Part of the deal will see Melbourne host the first race of the Formula 1 season for at least four years between 2023 and 2037, with Saudi Arabia to host the first race of the 2024 Formula 1 season out of respect for Ramadan." 

Bahrain is also due to open the 2023 campaign. 

Australia will be part of a record 23-race calendar next year. That will rise to 24 if Formula One finds a replacement for the China Grand Prix, which was cancelled earlier this month due to Covid. 

Potential replacements are Portugal and Turkey, though the decision will depend on financial factors. 

Portugal hosted a Grand Prix at Portimao in 2020 and 2021. Istanbul Park last held a Grand Prix in 2021.