Formula One locks in date for 2024 Melbourne Grand Prix

A date has been locked in for next year’s Melbourne Grand Prix amid a shake-up of global scheduling.

A date has been locked in for next year’s Melbourne Grand Prix. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Melbourne’s Grand Prix date has been locked in for next year, cementing its place as third race on the Formula One calendar.

It comes as AFL heavyweight Travis Auld is in the driver’s seat to take over as chief executive of the Albert Park race as early as next week.

The four day major event will roar into town from March 21-24 – the third straight year it has been race three of the season.

Formula One management confirmed the date late Wednesday night Australian time, amid a shake-up of global scheduling.

The Albert Park event will be the third race of the season. Picture: Getty

Interim Australian Grand Prix chief executive Dale Nardella expected sports fans from near and far to start saving the date.

“It is always an exciting moment when we have confirmation of next year’s race dates, and we know that fans look forward to being able to plan their visit to Albert Park in March,’’ he said.

“After a record-breaking attendance in 2023, we anticipate many will be eager to save the date for 2024.”

It paves the way for Melbourne to host the opening race of the season in 2025.

And it comes as AFL finance, broadcasting, clubs and fixtures guru Auld looms as top candidate to replace long time chief executive Andrew Westacott.

While no contract has been signed and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and state government are yet to agree to terms with Auld, it is believed he is the preferred candidate.

The AFL has also not signed off on his departure and league sources on Wednesday said they were unclear about whether he was staying or going.

In a statement, a Victorian government spokesman said: “The recruitment process for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO is continuing and we’ll have more to say on this soon.”

The Grand Prix – which this year drew record crowds to Albert Park – will be run in the second round of the AFL season.

And it will be staged amid a flurry of major sports, music and cultural events in Melbourne from January to march that will kick off the year in style.

Melbourne’s long term contract for the race dictates the city must also host at least three season openers between 2026 and 2037.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is also set to be staged on a Saturday night, a week after the season opener.

And the Japan Grand Prix is expected to be staged in early April instead of September, to move it closer to the Albert Park race and reduce the carbon footprint of the international F1 circus zigzagging the globe.