Calls for a night-time Australian Grand Prix as F1 boss explains why Melbourne chosen over Sydney

Australian Grand Prix boss Paul Little hopes the Melbourne marquee event will become a night race, but explains the major roadblock stopping it – as the F1 CEO explains why Melbourne was chosen over Sydney. 

Little, a top Victorian business leader and former chair of Essendon, has revealed his hope that the GP at Albert Park will transition to an after-dark event in the next decade.

He believes that the spectacle of a night race and bigger global TV ratings meant the idea should be considered by the Aussie GP board.

‘I’d love to not rule out a night Grand Prix,’ he told the Herald Sun. 

‘I just think if we could make that work, that would be amazing. An amazing spectacle but also great for reaching the rest of the F1 audience.’

Australian Grand Prix boss Paul Little hopes the Melbourne marquee event will become a night race, but explains that infrastructure is a major hurdle

Mr Little, who is also a top Victorian business leader, has revealed his hope that the GP at Albert Park will transition to an after-dark event in the next decade. He believes that the spectacle of a night race and bigger global TV ratings meant the idea should be considered by the Aussie GP board

Mr Little, who is also a top Victorian business leader, has revealed his hope that the GP at Albert Park will transition to an after-dark event in the next decade. He believes that the spectacle of a night race and bigger global TV ratings meant the idea should be considered by the Aussie GP board

Little says the biggest hurdle to making it a night race a reality is infrastructure. F1 cars don’t have headlights, so enormous floodlights are needed to illuminate the track.

‘As it is today, we couldn’t run a night race even if we wanted one without a significant amount of work to put lighting in place,’ he said.

‘(But) I think it would be an amazing spectacle.

‘I’ve been to the Singapore Grand Prix a couple of times which is a night race and the drivers love it. And the spectacle is tremendous, so I think it would be good.’

There is currently six Formula 1 races held at night – Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Qatar, Las Vegas, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi – and they deliver a unique aesthetic that’s different from any other form of motorsport.

‘It definitely adds something a bit different,’ said Aussie F1 driver Oscar Piastri when asked about the idea.

‘I don’t know if there would be too many happy people going to work on a Monday morning.

‘But from a commercial perspective it would obviously make a lot of sense.’

Aussie F1 driver Oscar Piastri thinks a night race in Melbourne makes sense

Aussie F1 driver Oscar Piastri thinks a night race in Melbourne makes sense

There is currently six Formula 1 races held at night - Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Qatar, Las Vegas, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi - and they deliver a unique aesthetic that's different from any other form of motorsport (Daniel Ricciardo pictured racing in Singapore GP at night)

There is currently six Formula 1 races held at night – Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Qatar, Las Vegas, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi – and they deliver a unique aesthetic that’s different from any other form of motorsport (Daniel Ricciardo pictured racing in Singapore GP at night)

Meanwhile, Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali says choosing Melbourne to host the Australian Grand Prix was the right move, despite a pitch from Sydney that he described as ‘incredible’.

‘We had a very important offer from Sydney to have the Grand Prix, and that was dealt in a very, very professional way,’ Domenicali said at the SportNXT conference.

‘At the end of the day, it was not an easy decision, but all in all, it was for the best of Formula 1, and we are very happy and proud to have that agreement with Melbourne because what has been done in the last few decades has proven to be very strong and successful.

‘With respect of course, it was done in a great way. (Sydney) were very serious and did an incredible job.

‘The decision in the future is for others, but we’ve always been committed to Albert Park.’

Meanwhile, Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali says choosing Melbourne to host the Australian Grand Prix was the right move, despite a pitch from Sydney that he described as 'incredible'

Meanwhile, Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali says choosing Melbourne to host the Australian Grand Prix was the right move, despite a pitch from Sydney that he described as ‘incredible’

The Melbourne race drew a record crowd of 419,000 in 2022 and is expected to be even bigger this year.

‘It’s a destination city. We’re four kilometres from the CBD,’ said Domenicali.

‘The attraction is for new fans to come along because they can jump on a tram in our city and be at the circuit in 20 minutes to see something they’ve never experienced before, and when they experience it, they say, ‘I’m going to come back this year.’

‘Last year’s event did two things, I believe. It showed that Melbourne delivers on the global stage, which is important. You cannot ever rest on your laurels in Formula 1, whether you’re a team or a promoter or a partner.

‘But it also showed the government the Victorian people love major events and when they’re delivered to the greatest standard, then they’re very, very good for the city.’

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