Five new Melbourne Grand Prix zones to sell Victoria

Albert Park will be split into zones for next year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix as a novel way to showcase the state’s tourism regions.

The 176ha Albert Park precinct will for the first time be divided into five areas next year.

Five iconic Victorian regions will be celebrated at next year’s Australian Grand Prix as Melbourne prepares to once again put itself in pole position on the world stage.

Fans returning to Albert Park for Melbourne’s first Formula One race in three years will find the circuit split into different zones, all showcasing the best of Victoria.

The 176ha Albert Park precinct will for the first time be divided into areas dedicated to the Grampians, Yarra Valley, Phillip Island, Great Ocean Rd and Melbourne’s CBD.

Each zone will champion the best food, music, art and entertainment from each region and visually showcase drawcards such as Phillip Island’s penguins and the Grampians mountains to global audiences.

Grand Prix chief executive Andrew Westacott said the new zones would accommodate fully vaccinated crowds of up to 100,000 each day as Victoria finally revved up its major events industry.

“If we can make each of these zones sing to one of the five regions we are celebrating, that provides greater exposure internationally to them for the week of the event,’’ he said.

The zones were originally drawn up in a bid to keep spectators Covid-safe before this month’s event was cancelled, with fans to be separated in each section.

But fans will be free to roam between each section at next year’s four day event, with local businesses, chefs, musicians and artists invited to spruik their wares in each space.

The 2022 Australian Grand Prix can cater for up to 100,000 fans each day.

While full details of what if offered in each zone was still to be finalised, Mr Westacott said each area would have its own “personality”.

“In April we are going to have an open venue and a single venue but we still think it’s sensational to be able to theme and give each of the zones its own character,’’ Mr Westacott said.

“We will shine a light on each region through multiple experiences in collaboration with Visit Victoria.

“The intention is to ensure each region is brought to life in multiple ways throughout the precincts – whether it be food, activations, art or music, such as our AusGP Sessions Emerging Stages for local artists.’’

He said the event was “ready to roar back onto the calendar’’ after being cruelled by the pandemic.

“We are unlimited, we can get the biggest crowds we can get and that is in excess of 100,000 a day,’’ he said.

“We expect by April to be able to go to the biggest crowd we can and there is a lot of excitement from both a track and racing perspective, to the celebration of Victoria and also the events industry.’’

The Grand Prix was the first major event called off due to the pandemic in 2020, with fans turned away at the gates on day two before F1 speed machines had even hit the track.