First-timer's guide to the Grand Prix™

If you're like Oscar Piastri – making your home F1® debut this year at the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2023 – keep this guide handy. Because there's so much to experience at Albert Park that it's hard to know what to see and do first. We're here to help ...

A bit like any F1® race, attending a Grand Prix™ is all about the preparation beforehand, what you do when you're at the circuit, and what happens afterwards. We can't promise chequered flags or celebratory champagne, but we can offer you 10 essential tools and tips to make the most of your time trackside in Melbourne.

Before you arrive

Tip 1: Do your homework, plan your journey

Plan your trip to the Grand Prix™ and find the appropriate entry gate that corresponds with your ticket with our Journey Planner. Albert Park is a big area – a lap of the circuit itself is over five kilometres – so wearing comfortable walking shoes is as essential as the drivers being on the right Pirelli tyre. And remember that on race day, Sunday, April 2, daylight savings ends at 2:00 am. Savour that extra hour of sleep because the gates open at 8.30 am…

Tip 2: Our digital circuit map is your new best friend

Open this on your phone, and keep it there – believe us, you'll be referring to it a lot. What to find, where to find it, where to meet your mates, locate your seat, anything else … get the info you need with a tap or two. Give our digital circuit map a good look before you arrive.

Need help once you’re here? Visit one of our on-site customer service booths located by each gate.

Tip 3: Download your tickets digitally

Like an F1® qualifying lap, every second counts … Keep the queues moving at each of the 10 entry gates, save time and get to where you want to be more efficient.

Once you're here

Tip 4: Take your F1® crash course

If F1® is new for you, we get it – there's a lot to take in. How does a race weekend unfold, how do the different championships work – and what's with those trackside marshals waving the different-coloured flags? Check out our F1® cheat sheet to know your Q1 from your Q3, and how to act like a pro when the commentators say "double waved yellows" …

Tip 5: Find the best spot to watch

The Albert Park Grand Prix™ Circuit is 5.278km long and takes in 14 corners, so you'll want to know where best to watch from. Our Park Pass Viewing Guide helps you cut to the chase. Check out one of our four Pit Stops, where big screens show the on-track action with food, drink and amenities a stone's throw away, or get trackside to witness F1® with your own eyes. Tip within a tip: Turns 9-10 at Albert Park – the left-right chicane across the back of the track – is THE place to see the breathtaking cornering speed of F1® cars up close.

Race commentary will also be available by tuning into 98.5 FM.

Tip 6: Know your Aussies

FIA Formula 2® and FIA Formula 3® are the two entry-level series that act as a stepping stone to F1®, and they're racing at Albert Park for the first time. Even better, there's Aussies in all three categories to cheer for. Piastri is our F1® star of the future, but there's Jack Doohan (son of motorcycle legend Mick) in F2®, and a trio of rookies – teenagers Hugh Barter and Christian Mansell along with Melbourne's Tommy Smith – getting their feet wet in F3®. Get the lowdown on the Aussie quintet here.

Tip 7: See your heroes

When you've watched the cars, see the stars. Head to the Fan Zone to see the fastest drivers on the planet along the world-famous Melbourne Walk – grab a prime spot and you might get a selfie, signature, or both. A short hop from there is the Fan Forum Stage, where a whole host of drivers, F1® guests and celebrity personalities will be interviewed in front of the crowds.

Tip 8: Get in the Zone

As well as the Fan Zone, there's a plethora of other themed precincts to see F1® from a new perspective. The Super Mario Bros. Movie Family Zone is perfect for kids, while Motorsport Central is where to get a back-of-house glimpse of Supercars, F2® and F3®. Tech-curious fans should make a beeline for the Tech Hub, while The Green features static displays of stunning machinery from nationwide car clubs. And Beaurepaires Legends Lane is where you can brush up on motorsport history.

Before you leave

Tip 9: Plan your journey home

Last year, an estimated crowd of over 419,000 people came to Albert Park across the four days of the event – so once the chequered flag drops, be patient, do your planning, and consider staying a while (we'll explain why). Pro tip: Gate 1 gets busy, so consider another exit point that might make for a longer walk within the circuit, but almost certainly quicker egress once you get to it. Or you can ….

Express tram services to Southern Cross Station are also available from gates 2 and 3 or you can catch the tram to Flinders Street Station from St Kilda Road, best accessed from gates 5, 8 or 9.

A free express bus service to Crown Casino will also run from gates 2 and 3 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday only), while taxi ranks are also located outside each gate.

Or you can ….

Tip 10: Stay for the show(s)

When the on-track action stops, things are just getting warmed up off it. An assortment of award-winning artists headline the music program at Albert Park this year, so why not hang around for a nightcap to your first Grand Prix™ experience? There's music on the Main Stage every day in M Lane, including Hayden James on Saturday night, and a post-race line-up that features King Stingray, Sneaky Sound System and Sunday night's headliners, Birds of Tokyo.

If you’re looking for some post event action, head to whatsonstkilda.com for local entertainment.