Long queues formed near Southern Cross station as fans made their way to Albert Park for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, marking the start of the 2026 season. The event has drawn a sea of orange, red, and green as fans of Ferrari, McLaren, and other teams gathered outside the trams on Spencer Street. Despite the long lines, the new trams are arriving approximately every 60 seconds, with staff posted every few meters to guide fans efficiently.

Supercars Chaos Marks the Start of the Weekend

The Supercars race, held on Saturday, started with a dramatic first-corner crash that saw Broc Feeney retire from the race before even reaching turn two. At least 10 cars were involved in the collision, with Feeney losing a wheel and being hit by several other drivers, including Cooper Murray and Zach Bates. The incident left Feeney out of contention and marked a rough start to the weekend for the reigning champion.

Brodie Kostecki emerged as the winner of the Supercars race, taking the lead from pole-sitter Will Brown on the penultimate lap. This victory secured Kostecki the Larry Perkins Trophy and a lead in the Supercars championship. Kostecki’s performance was notable despite an illness that affected his flying lap on Thursday, when he vomited in his helmet.

Kostecki’s final move of the race was a tactical overtake on Brown at turn 11, forcing Brown to lock up and allowing Kostecki to take the lead. This victory marked his third win from four races at Albert Park this weekend and solidified his position in the championship.

F1 Cars Under the Spotlight with New Designs

While the Supercars race was a highlight, the focus of the weekend also turned to Formula 1’s new car designs for 2026. The new cars feature significant design and functional changes, which are expected to impact race strategies and performance. Fans and analysts alike are closely watching how these changes will play out on the track.

The Australian Grand Prix has been held at Albert Park for 30 years, with the exception of the two-year break during the pandemic. The track has seen many iconic moments and has been a testing ground for new technologies and racing strategies. This year, the event continues to attract top drivers and teams, with the new cars adding an extra layer of excitement.

F1 Drivers Dine in Melbourne’s Best Restaurants

As the Grand Prix unfolded, F1 drivers and officials were also spotted dining at some of Melbourne’s top restaurants. Newlywed Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc dined at Stokehouse and Maison Batard, while Haas driver Oliver Bearman was also seen at Maison Batard. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly enjoyed a good steak at Grill Americano in Flinders Lane, and Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson relished the sophisticated Japanese offerings at Kisume in the CBD.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was spotted at Maha in the CBD’s Bond Street, and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas took to social media to praise the breakfast at ST. ALi in South Melbourne. Bottas also participated in a unique promotion at the Jim Beam Roadhouse pop-up in Barkly Street, St Kilda, where he handed out trays of snags and cutlets and even participated in a meat raffle.

Bottas’s visit to the Jim Beam Roadhouse included a special cocktail named after his iconic mullet, called The Golden Mullet. The drink is made with Jim Beam Pineapple, vanilla, lemon, and soda, and was a hit with fans and attendees.

With the weather forecast predicting a sunny day at Albert Park, fans are advised to take precautions with slip, slop, and slap to protect themselves from the sun. The event has drawn a sellout crowd, and photographer Eddie Jim is on site to capture all the action.

For those attending the Grand Prix, a map of the trackside activities is available, including Supercars, the RAAF Roulettes flyover, and top food and drinks options. The event promises to be a highlight of the season, with new rules and technologies expected to shape the outcome of the races.