The Melbourne paddock is abuzz with the news that Albert Park is almost certainly slated to reclaim its prestigious role as the opening Formula 1 race for the 2025 season. This shift marks a return to tradition after recent years saw Bahrain emerge as the customary season starter, dovetailed with pre-season testing.
The choice of Bahrain in recent times, including its pairing with the Saudi Arabia GP this year, was partly dictated by the timing of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and prayer. However, with Ramadan beginning at the end of February in 2025, logic dictates a return to Australia for the season’s grand opening.
Despite the widespread speculation, Formula 1 officials are currently keeping confirmation of this change under wraps. Erik van Haren, a correspondent for De Telegraaf, reports from Melbourne, “Formula 1 doesn’t want to confirm the news at this time.”
Yet, the signs pointing to Melbourne’s premier position on the 2025 calendar are unmistakable. A critical detail is the event’s contract, which extends through 2035, mandating that at least five Australian Grands Prix within the new agreement period must serve as the season’s first race, a “guaranteed minimum.”
Adding weight to this speculation, the Adelaide Motorsport Festival, a burgeoning family event that recently hosted F1 luminaries such as Damon Hill, Gunther Steiner, and Valtteri Bottas, has announced its 2025 dates for March 1-2. This scheduling strongly suggests the Australian GP could logically occupy the weekend of March 7-9 as the official F1 season opener.
The South Australian festival’s organisers are already gearing up for a spectacular Adelaide event next year prior to the grand prix across the border in Melbourne, promising, “International and Australian motorsport stars will once again come to Adelaide on the weekend of March 1 and 2 in 2025, for what will be a bumper weekend of on-track action and off-track activities.”
While Bahrain is rumored to retain its role in pre-season testing just a week or two ahead of the Melbourne race, the anticipation for Australia’s return as the first race of the 2025 F1 season is palpable, marking a significant moment in the sport’s calendar and a thrilling start to what promises to be another electrifying season.
—GMM
