On the eve of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023, a record 450 people enjoyed the Victorian Chamber and Keolis Downer Grand Prix™ Breakfast, hearing from special guests including outgoing Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) CEO Andrew Westacott and former Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok.

The 2023 iteration will be special for a number of reasons. With the continuous evolution of vehicle technology and changes to the Albert Park layout, this year could be the quickest Australian Grand Prix with the highest average speed ever in Melbourne.

Not only will the likes of Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton be top drawcards,but Australia will also have a new homegrown hero to support – Oscar Piastri in his rookie season.

With last year’s total of nearly 420,000 attendees over the four days of the event breaking records for the race in Melbourne, that figure could be exceeded this weekend.

Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra said: “It’s one of the hottest tickets in town. I was here in 1996 when the engines screamed around the track for the first time, and I can’t wait for the F1 circus to return.

“The Grand Prix, the Australian Open and the Spring Carnival are our pillars, the tripod of our events calendar. They have global appeal; they put Melbourne up in lights on the global stage and they attract global participation at both competitor and visitation level. The flow on effect to us in business is significant.”

Special guests

The record Grand Prix Breakfast crowd was treated to a Q&A with Mr Chandhok, who was born into a motor racing family where his father, grandfather and even grandmother used to race.

He is part of a very exclusive club of only two Indian Formula 1 drivers. A multiple race winner and podium finisher in GP2, he was a test driver for the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team in 2007 and 2008, before going on to race in Formula 1 for Hispania Racing and Team Lotus in 2010 and 2011. Mr Chandhok was also the first Indian to ever compete in the iconic Le Mans 24-hour race.

Since 2016, Mr Chandhok has been a regular driver and consultant for the Williams Formula 1 team’s Heritage business. He has also built up a strong reputation as a commentator and analyst for motorsport, working with five different global Formula 1 broadcasters.

“There are 23 races on the calendar and we're very lucky to travel the world with it. But this is just a brilliant event to come to. I think the fact that it's basically in the city and you feel truly that you're in with the locals," he said.

“Go to Shanghai, for example, and the track is two hours from Shanghai. You don't get a sense of really where you are. You could be in an industrial estate anywhere. It's different here. And I think the atmosphere is brilliant."

The warmest applause was reserved for Mr Westacott, AGPC’s longest-serving CEO, who steps down at the end of June after leading the AGPC for 11 years. He led the event through a transformative period culminating in significant investment in facility upgrades to make it even more attractive to fans, masterminding better ticket deals and changing race times to capture a wider audience and better cater for families and corporate groups.

He most recently helped Victoria successfully negotiate 15 years of further tenure to keep the Grand Prix in Melbourne until 2037, which will mark its 40th anniversary here.

Mr Guerra paid tribute to Mr Westacott: “You have a legacy here to be very proud of, having achieved so much in your time, and leaving the Formula 1 stronger than ever, with its future in Melbourne secured for the next 15 years.

“You leave the AGPC in a position that will ensure continued global success. The organisation has been lucky to have such a strong and dedicated leader, and on behalf of everyone here, I’d like to thank you and wish you all the very best in your future endeavours.”

A full weekend of action awaits at Albert Park from 30 March to 2 April 2023.