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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: FORMEL 1: GP von AUSTRALIEN 1996 in Melbourne 03.96, Michael SCHUMACHER/FERRARI (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Winning Formula: The most iconic moments from the Australian Grand Prix archives

Olivia Harris
1 min read·March 22, 2024 - 8:32AM
News Corp Australia Network

Champions, celebs and extraordinary crashes: the Australian Grand Prix never fails to deliver. We take a look at the iconic moments from the race’s illustrious history and the famous faces that have graced the track along the way.

Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, Daniel Ricciardo and even Natalie Imbruglia - the Aussie circuit has seen it all. See the full gallery below of all the best - and worst - moments since 1928.

 

Ayrton Senna, visibly upset after colliding with a tyre barrier in Adelaide in 1990, pauses to take a drink beside the track. Picture: Jayne Russell
Ayrton Senna, visibly upset after colliding with a tyre barrier in Adelaide in 1990, pauses to take a drink beside the track. Picture: Jayne Russell

 

Ferrari mechanics watch the screens at the 2010 Grand Prix in Melbourne. Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Ferrari mechanics watch the screens at the 2010 Grand Prix in Melbourne. Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

 

Kerry Baily’s racing team, seeking a female pit crew, welcomed volunteers Mandie, Jodie, Leah, and Gloria to their team. Picture: Mark Brake
Kerry Baily’s racing team, seeking a female pit crew, welcomed volunteers Mandie, Jodie, Leah, and Gloria to their team. Picture: Mark Brake

 

Nathan Buckley prepares to race during the celebrity go-kart challenge at the 2020 Grand Prix. Picture: Stefan Postles/Getty Images
Nathan Buckley prepares to race during the celebrity go-kart challenge at the 2020 Grand Prix. Picture: Stefan Postles/Getty Images

 

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Monaco celebrates finishing in 1st position during the 2022 GP in Melbourne. Picture: Peter J Fox/Getty Images
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Monaco celebrates finishing in 1st position during the 2022 GP in Melbourne. Picture: Peter J Fox/Getty Images

 

Ralf Schumacher flies over Rubens Barrichello on the first corner, just moments after the start of the race at the 2002 Melbourne Grand Prix. Picture: AFP
Ralf Schumacher flies over Rubens Barrichello on the first corner, just moments after the start of the race at the 2002 Melbourne Grand Prix. Picture: AFP

 

Lewis Hamilton celebrates his first-place win with Nico Rosberg, who placed third, at the 2008 competition. Picture: William West/AFP
Lewis Hamilton celebrates his first-place win with Nico Rosberg, who placed third, at the 2008 competition. Picture: William West/AFP

 

Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson poses in a jumpsuit at the 1991 celebrity challenge race. Picture: News Corp Australia
Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson poses in a jumpsuit at the 1991 celebrity challenge race. Picture: News Corp Australia

 

Graduate design engineer and F1 fan Tim Wright works as a tyre fitter for the 1987 Goodyear team. Picture: Stuart Hannagan
Graduate design engineer and F1 fan Tim Wright works as a tyre fitter for the 1987 Goodyear team. Picture: Stuart Hannagan

 

An aerial view shows Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and George Russell at the start of the 2022 Grand Prix. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images
An aerial view shows Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and George Russell at the start of the 2022 Grand Prix. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images

 

Martin Brundle's Jordon-Peugeot breaks in half after colliding with Herbert's Sauber-Ford on the first lap of the 1996 Grand Prix at Albert Park. Picture: Paul Crock
Martin Brundle's Jordon-Peugeot breaks in half after colliding with Herbert's Sauber-Ford on the first lap of the 1996 Grand Prix at Albert Park. Picture: Paul Crock

 

Aussie Mark Webber celebrates with his team after his surprise placement in fifth position. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Aussie Mark Webber celebrates with his team after his surprise placement in fifth position. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

 

Singer Lee Kernaghan takes a swig of champagne after the 1996 celebrity race. Picture: Fiona Hamilton
Singer Lee Kernaghan takes a swig of champagne after the 1996 celebrity race. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

 

A reveller sleeps in a planter box on Rundle Street, Adelaide, the morning after the race. Picture: Graham Tidy
A reveller sleeps in a planter box on Rundle Street, Adelaide, the morning after the race. Picture: Graham Tidy

 

A crowd of enthusiastic fans wave Ferrari flags at the 1997 Australian Grand Prix. Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Sygma via Getty Images
A crowd of enthusiastic fans wave Ferrari flags at the 1997 Australian Grand Prix. Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Sygma via Getty Images

 

Security guard Barry Wing makes the most of an empty track on the day after the 1985 Aus GP in Adelaide. Picture: News Corp Australia
Security guard Barry Wing makes the most of an empty track on the day after the 1985 Aus GP in Adelaide. Picture: News Corp Australia

 

Natalie Imbruglia prepares herself for the celebrity challenge at the 1999 Grand Prix. Picture: David Caird
Natalie Imbruglia prepares herself for the celebrity challenge at the 1999 Grand Prix. Picture: David Caird

 

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia celebrates finishing second, before later being disqualified in the 2014 Grand Prix. Picture: Vladimir Rys Photography/Getty Images
Daniel Ricciardo of Australia celebrates finishing second, before later being disqualified in the 2014 Grand Prix. Picture: Vladimir Rys Photography/Getty Images

 

Alain Prost celebrates taking the chequered flag to win the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, 1986. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images
Alain Prost celebrates taking the chequered flag to win the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, 1986. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

 

Gerhard Schonbacher shows off how he 'skis' the GP circuit in Adelaide. Picture: Campbell Brodie
Gerhard Schonbacher shows off how he 'skis' the GP circuit in Adelaide. Picture: Campbell Brodie

 

Mika Hakkinen’s car flies through the air before a serious crash at the 1995 race in Adelaide. Picture: News Corp Australia
Mika Hakkinen’s car flies through the air before a serious crash at the 1995 race in Adelaide. Picture: News Corp Australia

 

Eric Bana poses in front of Fernando Alonso's Renault at Albert Park. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Eric Bana poses in front of Fernando Alonso's Renault at Albert Park. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

 

Jenson Button celebrates first place at the 2009 race. Picture: Joe Castro/AAP
Jenson Button celebrates first place at the 2009 race. Picture: Joe Castro/AAP

 

Jean Alessi's engine catches fire during a practice session on Day 3 of the 1996 Albert Park GP. Picture: William West
Jean Alessi's engine catches fire during a practice session on Day 3 of the 1996 Albert Park GP. Picture: William West

 

Singer John Farnham gets behind the wheel for the celebrity challenge race for the 1989 GP in Adelaide. Picture: Brodie Campbell
Singer John Farnham gets behind the wheel for the celebrity challenge race for the 1989 GP in Adelaide. Picture: Brodie Campbell

 

Sebastian Vettel practices on track at Albert Park. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Sebastian Vettel practices on track at Albert Park. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

 

Cars gather for the first Australian Grand Prix hosted by Queensland in 1949. Picture: News Corp Australia
Cars gather for the first Australian Grand Prix hosted by Queensland in 1949. Picture: News Corp Australia

 

Williams Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve makes his debut at Albert Park in 1996. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Williams Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve makes his debut at Albert Park in 1996. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

 

Kylie Minogue poses for a with the Red Bull Racing team at Albert Park. Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Kylie Minogue poses for a with the Red Bull Racing team at Albert Park. Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

 

Fashion in the 1996 Benetton pits. Picture: Drew Ryan
Fashion in the 1996 Benetton pits. Picture: Drew Ryan

 

Fernando Alonso was “lucky to be alive” after his crash on turn three in 2016. Picture: Alex Coppel
Fernando Alonso was “lucky to be alive” after his crash on turn three in 2016. Picture: Alex Coppel

 

Father Joe Grealy blesses the main straight from the top of a gold pass stand in 1987. Picture: Stuart Hannagan
Father Joe Grealy blesses the main straight from the top of a gold pass stand in 1987. Picture: Stuart Hannagan

 

Brett Emerton and Rachael Finch prepare to compete in the 2014 celebrity challenge. Picture: Chris Pavlich for mX
Brett Emerton and Rachael Finch prepare to compete in the 2014 celebrity challenge. Picture: Chris Pavlich for mX

 

Winning racing driver Nelson Piquet sprays champagne over Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1988. Picture:
Winning racing driver Nelson Piquet sprays champagne over Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1988. Picture:

 

Ruby Rose gets her game face on for the celebrity race at Albert Park. Picture: Stuart Walmsley
Ruby Rose gets her game face on for the celebrity race at Albert Park. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

 

Nigel Mansell’s 1986 Formula One title hopes were dashed by a blown tyre on the straight at the Australian Grand Prix, forcing him out of the race. Picture: Rick Liebling
Nigel Mansell’s 1986 Formula One title hopes were dashed by a blown tyre on the straight at the Australian Grand Prix, forcing him out of the race. Picture: Rick Liebling

 

Paul Stanley of Kiss performs onstage at the Albert Park Circuit. Picture: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images
Paul Stanley of Kiss performs onstage at the Albert Park Circuit. Picture: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images

 

A labourer prepares a collection of direction signs to control traffic around Adelaide for the 1986 competition. Picture: Bryan Charlton
A labourer prepares a collection of direction signs to control traffic around Adelaide for the 1986 competition. Picture: Bryan Charlton

 

British racing driver Derek Warwick gets some help to keep cool off before the race. Picture: News Corp Australia
British racing driver Derek Warwick gets some help to keep cool off before the race. Picture: News Corp Australia

 

John Farnham and Noeline Donaher psych themselves up for their celebrity race challenge. Picture: Brian Webber
John Farnham and Noeline Donaher psych themselves up for their celebrity race challenge. Picture: Brian Webber

 

Arthur Waite wins the first Australian Grand Prix at 80mph at the old Philip Island circuit. Picture: News Corp Australia
Arthur Waite wins the first Australian Grand Prix at 80mph at the old Philip Island circuit. Picture: News Corp Australia

 

Michael Schumacher waves as he does a lap in Adelaide in 1994. Picture: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images
Michael Schumacher waves as he does a lap in Adelaide in 1994. Picture: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images

 

Pit lane fire marshall Scott Thompson watches driver Gerhard Berger's practice session in 1988. Picture: Graham Tidy
Pit lane fire marshall Scott Thompson watches driver Gerhard Berger's practice session in 1988. Picture: Graham Tidy

 

Canine Grand Prix participant 'Jake' the golden retriever poses in a special car in 1995. Picture: Dean Martin
Canine Grand Prix participant 'Jake' the golden retriever poses in a special car in 1995. Picture: Dean Martin

 

Model Megan Gale dons a matching helmet to her Mini for the celebrity challenge. Picture: Fiona Hamilton
Model Megan Gale dons a matching helmet to her Mini for the celebrity challenge. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

 

'Grunter' Grant Gibson, no. 1 mechanic for Nigel Mansell and 'The Ferret' John Riordan, no. 2 mechanic for Nelson Piquet, battle it out in 1986. Picture: Graham Tidy
'Grunter' Grant Gibson, no. 1 mechanic for Nigel Mansell and 'The Ferret' John Riordan, no. 2 mechanic for Nelson Piquet, battle it out in 1986. Picture: Graham Tidy

 

Damon Hill shows his disappointment in Adelaide after a race-ending collision with Michael Schumacher in 1994. Picture: Mike Hewitt
Damon Hill shows his disappointment in Adelaide after a race-ending collision with Michael Schumacher in 1994. Picture: Mike Hewitt

 

Track doctor Ashley Hague stands on the finish line in disbelief after the event was cancelled due to coronavirus in 2020. Picture: David Caird
Track doctor Ashley Hague stands on the finish line in disbelief after the event was cancelled due to coronavirus in 2020. Picture: David Caird

 

Sam Newman poses in his racing car for the 1995 celebrity challenge. Picture: Chris Mangan
Sam Newman poses in his racing car for the 1995 celebrity challenge. Picture: Chris Mangan

 

Philippe Streiff returns to the pits alone after finishing third, his car compromised by a collision with teammate Jacques Laffite. Picture: Barry O'Brien
Philippe Streiff returns to the pits alone after finishing third, his car compromised by a collision with teammate Jacques Laffite. Picture: Barry O'Brien

 

A spectator marshal was killed when hit in the chest by a wheel from Jacques Villeneuve’s crash into the barrier in 2001. Picture: AFP
A spectator marshal was killed when hit in the chest by a wheel from Jacques Villeneuve’s crash into the barrier in 2001. Picture: AFP

 

Dame Edna Everage waves during the 1993 parade prior to the Grand Prix in Adelaide. Picture: Barry O’Brien
Dame Edna Everage waves during the 1993 parade prior to the Grand Prix in Adelaide. Picture: Barry O’Brien

 

A fan wears a customised cap to the 1987 competition. Picture: News Corp Australia
A fan wears a customised cap to the 1987 competition. Picture: News Corp Australia

 

The Wiggles stand beside car as they prepare for the celebrity race at Albert Park. Picture: Supplied
The Wiggles stand beside car as they prepare for the celebrity race at Albert Park. Picture: Supplied

 

Spectators clamber up a tree - including a man on crutches - to get a better view of the track. Picture: Campbell Brodie
Spectators clamber up a tree - including a man on crutches - to get a better view of the track. Picture: Campbell Brodie

 

Stan Jones takes his son, Alan, for a ride after winning his first and only Australian Grand Prix in 1959 at Longford. Picture: Supplied
Stan Jones takes his son, Alan, for a ride after winning his first and only Australian Grand Prix in 1959 at Longford. Picture: Supplied

 

Preschoolers react to the loud F1 engines. Picture: Graham Tidy
Preschoolers react to the loud F1 engines. Picture: Graham Tidy

 

Tennis player Pat Rafter gives a dirty look after finishing eighth in the celebrity race. Picture: Fiona Hamilton
Tennis player Pat Rafter gives a dirty look after finishing eighth in the celebrity race. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

 

Jack Brabham celebrates his first place with a trophy of champagne at the 1964 Grand Prix. Picture: News Corp Australia
Jack Brabham celebrates his first place with a trophy of champagne at the 1964 Grand Prix. Picture: News Corp Australia

 

A wet weather spectator shelters in a cardboard box at the race. Picture: John Burdett
A wet weather spectator shelters in a cardboard box at the race. Picture: John Burdett

 

Tina Turner performs at the race concert in 1993. Picture: David Highet
Tina Turner performs at the race concert in 1993. Picture: David Highet

 

Michael Schumacher composes himself before Melbourne’s 1996 Grand Prix. Picture: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images
Michael Schumacher composes himself before Melbourne’s 1996 Grand Prix. Picture: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images

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Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/photos/winning-formula-the-most-iconic-moments-from-the-australian-grand-prix-archives/news-story/39809def90007d6763abd057db2d9c86