AustralianGrand Prix

The Australian Grand Prix is the oldest surviving motor racing competition held in Australia, having been run 77 times since the inaugural event at Phillip Island in 1928. It has been a fixture of the Formula One calendar since 1985. It was staged at circuits across Australia prior to its inclusion in the World Championship calendar.

For many years following its move to Melbourne from Adelaide in 1996, the Australian Grand Prix was the opening race of the World Championship. Whilst at the Adelaide Street Circuit it formed the final round of the season. In both the 1986 and 1994 the race was the decider in the Drivers' World Championship battles.

In 1992, however, Jeff Kennett was elected the new premier of the State of Victoria and immediately set about improving Melbourne's profile. First on his list was the Australian Grand Prix and in late 1993 it was announced that the race would be relocated to a street circuit in Albert Park. The current track was duly developed using closed-off public roads and in 1996 hosted its first Formula One World Championship race.