Five Reasons to head to the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix

The recipe for a successful Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix event has changed. It had to, really, in order to grow. Beyond the motorsport fans, these days you’ll find parents pushing prams, teenagers forming grassy gatherings and fastidiously groomed socialites.

In a bid to achieve that coveted ‘something for everyone’ event, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation splits the Albert Park trackside into distinct entertainment zones, creating a microcosm of all things Melbourne for both its local and international audience across its four-day festival.

From affordable day passes to money-can-buy exclusivity, the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix is the place to be from March 23-26, 2017.

Culinary feast
Melbourne’s reputation for good food runs deep and you can find a delicious display at this year’s GP.

Beyond your traditional trackside coronary-inducing favourites (yours for the taking), you can choose from contemporary urban street food offered in M-Lane in the Heineken Village precinct, or enjoy premium plates from seven of Melbourne’s best chefs spoiling guests in the Paddock Club.

Whether your poison is caffeine, deep-fried deliciousness or world-class catering, Melbourne’s premier motoring event has your back.

Money can buy experiences
The ultimate F1 fan experience, the Melbourne-Walk allows Paddock Club ticketholders to get up close and personal with F1 drivers and teams. Autographs, selfies, pre-race chin-wag – it doesn’t get much better than this.

Although the Jaguar F-Type Supersprint activation on the inside of Turn Five could come close. Buckle up alongside a professional driver as they put the Jaguar F-Type through its paces on a 560m trackside driving course.

First come, first served.

Kid Friendly
Nestled among the trees behind Brocky’s Hill you’ll find Disney favourites Lightning McQueen and Mack the Transporter as well as Crazy 8s raceway for some behind the wheel fun.

Hit the giant inflatable slide or dabble in some arts and crafts downtime (you should be so lucky). Training them young, the Porsche Kids Driving School requires a little more focus, with theory and driving skills put to the test!

Milkshake Parent Pods fitted with baby change table, feeding chair and mini kitchenette make bringing a baby or toddler a more realistic proposition. Find the pods in F1 Central, at the Golf Course and a third parenting room in Legends Lane.

Best part, kids under 14 years of age gain free entry over all four days. Just keep them way from the merchandise stands.

Life Less Ordinary
The Formula One Paddock Club is where race-going royalty and socialites gather… and instagram comes to life.

The best tickets money can buy, the Paddock Club is situated directly above the Formula 1 team garages, where there’s no mistaking your upper-class standing – and deep pockets.

Peter Rowlands Catering will delight with a posse of Melbourne’s best chefs, including Guy Grossi, Shane Delia, Victor Liong, Jacques Reymond, Ben Cooper and Darren Purchese.

Choose from a variety of ticket packages in shared or private suites, listening to the second-best sounds of the day - champagne corks popping.

Fatter & Faster
The new 2017 regulation changes see this year’s Formula 1 cars with updates to both body work and tyres – they’re now wider, lower and more aerodynamic. And that means, faster!

Speaking exclusively with motoring.com.au and carsales.com.au, Andrew Westacott, CEO of Australian Grand Prix Corporation said “I love it. We’ve got the fastest F1 cars in history. They’re going to be five to six seconds a lap quicker. And if you can believe it, braking 50-75m later down some of those fast straights.”

Say no more.

The 2017 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix has all the right ingredients for a fabulous fuel-inspired festival.