Melbourne’s 2027 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix will feature an extra race for the first time, with the city set to host one of just 10 F1 Sprint events on next year’s calendar.
The Sprint will bring competitive F1 racing to Albert Park on Saturday, adding another chance to see the drivers battle for points before the main Grand Prix on Sunday. The 2027 event will run from 2 to 4 April, with 1 April serving as F1 Media Day.
For fans, the Sprint format means the weekend will have more meaningful track action, with Friday featuring practice and Sprint qualifying before the shorter race on Saturday. Saturday will then continue with qualifying for Sunday’s main event.
It will also give Melbourne fans a first look at Oscar Piastri competing in a home Grand Prix Sprint.
“Melbourne is the home of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix – and in 2027 we’re taking it to another level with Australia’s first-ever Sprint Race,” Minister for Major Events Anthony Carbines said.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis Auld said the Sprint would mean more on-track action across Friday and Saturday.
“The F1 Sprint Race is an exciting addition for fans, with Friday and Saturday now offering more on-track action than ever before.”
The announcement follows a record 2026 Grand Prix, which attracted an estimated 500,000 people, while Saturday hotel occupancy reached 95.6 per cent, according to CoStar.
The 2027 event will also coincide with Victorian school holidays, while the new pit building and 2,500-capacity Melbourne Podium Club are expected to feature as part of the Albert Park precinct.
Tickets go on sale from 29 September. For more information and tickets, head to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix website.
