More than 350 guests at the Victorian Chamber’s annual Victorian Chamber Formula One Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2024 Breakfast heard how the Australian Grand Prix has become a key attraction in Victoria’s events calendar for fans, businesses leaders and corporates alike.

Guests also gained the insights of the voice of F1, commentator David Croft, along with Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis Auld and Chair Martin Pakula.

The event is set to sell out three days for the first time, with the iconic Albert Park Lakeside Grand Prix circuit to witness the thrills of the Supercars and Formula One, hosting world champion Max Verstappen and Australian young gun Oscar Piastri and veteran Daniel Ricciardo.

Mr Croft is a seasoned commentator and presenter, leading Sky Sports’ commentary for over 18 seasons. He is also recognised by gamers for his voice in F1 racing games.

He entertained the audience with stories of his career and commentary style, admitting he approaches the role by not focusing on speaking to thousands of people but rather having a “personable” one-on-one interaction with “someone in the corner knitting”, trying to get their attention.

He lauded Melbourne’s passion and noise for the Grand Prix.

“It’s an utter joy coming here, leaving behind the cold damp mornings in the UK at this time of year and heading down to the sunshine and the festival of motorsport. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation hosts an absolute ripper of a race weekend.”

Mr Auld and Mr Pakula spoke of the growing scale of the event, which is welcoming thousands of new fans attracted to “drama and the stories” of the Drive to Survive series, and hospitality offerings including the Glamour on the Grid.

The statistics painted the picture with one-third of racegoers becoming fans in the past year while 40 per cent are female, the highest rate of any Formula One race in the world.

“We want this ticket to be the most sought after in town. It is having a wave of popularity and we want it to last as long as possible,” Mr Pakula said.

The Formula One Australian Grand Prix is now recognised as one of the city’s flagship events, up there with the likes of the tennis Australian Open and AFL Grand Final.

Last year’s attendance of more than 440,000 people over the four days was 50 per cent higher than pre-pandemic in 2019, with this year set for another record. Revenue will also surpass $100 million for the first time, with last year’s figure of $95 million close to double the $55 million achieved in 2019.

Mr Auld said while there is capacity for more attendees, the event was declared a sell-out to ensure racegoers had the best experience possible.

“We have something for everyone, it’s a broad demographic. We want to protect that experience for everyone,” he said.

Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra said relocating the Grand Prix to Melbourne many years ago was a “bold move and one that we are reaping the rewards of decades later”.

“When the very first F1 engines roared around this track back in 1996, it fuelled a passion in me that I knew would last a lifetime not only for me, but this beautiful city, this great state,” he said.

Mr Guerra also said it’s great to be a Victorian right now, with the events capital basking in the glow of this event but also other world-class offerings to start the year including the Australian Open, Taylor Swift concert, Melbourne Fashion Festival and Food and Wine Festival.