The Australian Grand Prix Corporation officially announced yesterday that the 2023 Formula 1 race weekend scheduled to take place from March 30-April 2, with Formula 1 set to hit the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne from March 31.
This means that the Austrian Grand Prix will be the third round of the 2023 Formula 1 world championship, just like in the current F1 campaign, as Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc secured the race wins in Melbourne.
Despite the fact that the Australian Grand Prix traditionally became the first race of the championship during the Melbourne era, the race now looks to float in the first three rounds of each Formula One campaign after the organizers signed a nea deal for the following years.
However, the new contract between the Australian Grand Prix and Formula One states that the Melbourne circuit is guaranteed five season-openers until the 2035 F1 championship.
The Australian GP will most likely be the first race of the season in 2024 and 2025, as the other three opening slots will be decided later.
The 2023 round, meanwhile, is looking to be a highly-anticipated one for the Australian fans, taking into consideration the likelihood of there being a Melbourne-born Formula 1 driver on the grid for the first time.
Oscar Piastri is close to being confirmed by McLaren for the 2023 season and will therefore become the third Australian to compete in his home F1 event during the Melbourne era after Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo, and at the same time the first from Melbourne itself.
One other important aspect for the 2023 AGP is the fact that the race weekend will also include an all-new undercard with FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 to race in Australia for the first time.
Supercars will also hold a points-paying round at Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, as the race will most likely be either the second or third round following the Newcastle 500 and perhaps the Tasmania SuperSprint in March.
However, this means that there could no longer be room for local supports, with Carrera Cup considered to have the best chances in case there will be an extra slot available.
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