MELBOURNE TO HOST FIRST EVER F1 SEASON LAUNCH

PRESS RELEASE/Australian Grand Prix – Photo: Velocity Magazine (John Morris)

• Free to the public, Federation Square will come alive on Wednesday 13 March for the first ever Formula 1^® Season Launch event
• All 20 Formula 1^® drivers and all 10 Team Principals along with legends of the sport will participate in the live stage show
• The event will be supported by an exciting entertainment line-up featuring some of the sport’s legends and an array of music acts 
• Outside of the four-day spectacle at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, the Formula 1^®Season Launch event will be the biggest celebration of the sport in Melbourne 

Together with Formula 1, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation is excited to announce that the first ever Formula 1^® Season Launch event will take over Federation Square on Wednesday 13 March, bringing together the superstars of the sport as part of a special event ahead of the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2019™.
 
Hosted by Formula 1, Federation Square will come alive with the free Formula 1^®extravaganza as all 20 drivers and all 10 Team Principals, along with legends of the sport, will participate in the live stage show, bringing the heroes of Formula 1^® to the public.
 
The event will be supported by an exciting entertainment line-up featuring some of the sport’s legends and an array of music acts, adding to the vibrant atmosphere ahead of the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2019™, hosted at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, from 14-17 March.
 
The Formula 1^® Season Launch event will put Melbourne on show as the event is beamed live across the globe via Formula 1’s broadcast partners in what will be the biggest celebration of the sport in Melbourne outside the four-day spectacle at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.
 
Full details of the event are still being kept under wraps, however for the latest information on the Formula 1^® Season Launch event and to purchase tickets to the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2019™, please visit www.grandprix.com.au
 
Formula 1, Managing Director of Commercial Operations, Sean Bratches:
“Since 1996, except on two occasions, Formula 1, the greatest racing spectacle in the world has kicked off its year in Melbourne and there really couldn’t be a location better than this fantastic city. The passion, knowledge and enthusiasm of the Melbourne crowd deserved a special thanks and this is why we have decided to organise the first ever Season Launch event in the history of the sport. We are incredibly excited to be putting on such a spectacle for our fans. It’s vital that we put them at the heart of everything we do, and this event provides us with a platform to engage with fans not just locally but also globally. The 2019 season also marks another historic moment for the sport as we celebrate our 1000^th Grand Prix in China later this year and we are excited to see all the teams come together to kick off the season with a bang”.
 
Minister for Tourism and Major Events, The Hon. Martin Pakula:
“This is a once in a lifetime event for lovers of motorsport, and there is no better place to host the first-ever Formula 1^® season launch event than Melbourne – Australia’s major events capital. We are excited to be hosting a fantastic event that will attract legions of supporters from around the world and give Victorian F1^® fans a chance to meet their heroes.”
 
The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, The Hon. Sally Capp:
“We’re delighted to be a part of the Formula 1^® Season Launch ahead of the much-anticipated Formula 1^® Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 coming to town.
 
“Melburnians and visitors alike will be able to come together in Melbourne’s civic centre at Federation Square and get a free taste of the Grand Prix’s electric atmosphere, while seeing some of racing’s greatest athletes up-close.
 
“The City of Melbourne is proud to support the Grand Prix which sees more visitors to our city, providing a welcome boost to our cafes, retail stores and restaurants.”
 
Quotes attributable to Visit Victoria CEO, Peter Bingeman:
“The more people around the world talking about Melbourne and Victoria, the better, and the Formula 1^® Australian Grand Prix gives us wonderful global exposure.
 
“There’s nothing like showing Melbourne off to the world during the Grand Prix, the crowds, the atmosphere, and of course, the cars make it a once in a lifetime experience in this global city.”
 
Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Andrew Westacott:
“We’re immensely proud and honoured to host the first ever Formula 1^® Season Launch event on the eve of the Formula 1^® Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019.
 
“From Formula 1^® superstars and electric music acts, to the ultimate in fan engagement opportunities, the Federation Square takeover will be a huge celebration that will be broadcast around the world.”

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