Car lovers invited to race around Albert Park

Enthusiasts keen for a taste of Formula 1 will be able to drive flat-out around the Australian Grand Prix circuit for the first time.

Very few drivers have tackled the Albert Park circuit at speed. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Formula 1 fans will have a chance to drive their own cars at speed around Albert Park this year.

Normally restricted to Grand Prix stars, the Australian Grand Prix venue will be opened to small numbers of car enthusiasts ready to pay for a taste of F1.

Porsche previously invited a handful of customers and journalists to sample the track.

The track day hosted by Driving Solutions on Wednesday April 6 will represent the first time car lovers will be able to bring a car of their choice to the track for high-speed laps.

The circuit has previously hosted a handful of private events restricted to loyal customers for brands such as Porsche, Mercedes and Renault.

Former Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo joined F1 test driver Oscar Piastri at a Renault-only track day in 2020.

But this year’s event will be the first time car lovers can live out their Grand Prix dreams in their own machine.

It will also give members a public a chance to sample changes to the circuit before pro racers tackle the track across the Grand Prix weekend.

The Albert Park precinct is world-famous as a Formula 1 venue. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Driving Solutions director James Stewart said the event will be the first time many car lovers will be able to experience the Grand Prix “from the other side of the fence”.

“This is the Formula 1 track that’s never been open to the public,” he said.

Road cars are a rare sight at a track usually reserved for Grand Prix machines.

“To get an exclusive opportunity to drive your car in a controlled environment that’s normally exclusive to the likes of Daniel Ricciardo or Sebastian Vettel – that’s never happened before.”

Drivers must have a road-registered car and plenty of track day experience.

Experienced instructors will be on hand to coach amateur drivers on the finer points of racing at the circuit.

Drivers fill be able to live out their Lewis Hamilton fantasies. Picture: David Caird.

Full details for the event have not been made public, though it’s unlikely to be a cheap exercise.

Porsche previously charged customers $3450 for about a dozen laps of the track.