Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix Watch Party

We're Back Baby!!!

The start of the 2026 Formula 1 Season is upon us.

Join us at the Celtic on Saturday night for the Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix. The race is scheduled to start at 9:00 p.m. with the pre-race show set to start at 8:30 p.m.

New and long-time fans of every driver/team are welcome. If it's your first time and/or you'll be alone, send us a DM and we'll set aside a spot for you in the Organizers' VIP Paddock so you can make some new friends (space permitting).

## Melbourne

### When was the track built?

The deal to host Formula 1 in Melbourne was done in 1993, with the decision taken to create a circuit using a mixture of the existing roads around the city’s Albert Park – mainly Aughtie Drive and Lakeside Drive if you fancy driving it yourself – with a little detour through the Lakeside Stadium’s car park.

### When was its first Grand Prix?

Just four months after Adelaide held its last Australian Grand Prix at the end of 1995, the Formula 1 teams were back in Australia for Melbourne's first Grand Prix at the start of 1996. That race is most often remembered for Martin Brundle’s infamous Jordan crash at Turn 3 after he launched himself off the back of Johnny Herbert’s Sauber.

### What’s the circuit like?

As a temporary facility, Albert Park can be quite bumpy, while the circuit at the start of the weekend is often slippery, rubbering in as the sessions progress. It’s also a circuit that requires a well-sorted chassis, with several spots on the track where the drivers require a reactive front end to allow them to chuck it into a corner. Melbourne is also one of the faster tracks on the calendar, with Max Verstappen’s 2024 pole lap set at an average of over 250km/h.

### Why go?

Often found on lists of the world’s best cities, Melbourne is a blast all year round – and it only gets better when Formula 1 rolls into town. There are bars and restaurants aplenty, you’re right by the beach, while the race’s appearance at the start of Australia’s autumn means the temperatures should be peachy.

### Where is the best place to watch?

If you want to get in a grandstand, opt for either the Waite stand overlooking Turn 10, or the Brabham Grandstand on the outside of Turn 2 to watch cars jostling for position through the first chicane. Alternatively, there are some nice general admission spots on the far side of the lake – go for either between Turns 8-9 or 9-10 if you fancy some F1 picnic feels.