FIA ban verdict reached for Australian Grand Prix

An FIA verdict has been revealed ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season opener at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

The pinnacle of motorsport will return to the Albert Park Circuit, with the popular track opening the 24-race calendar for the first time since 2019.

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In the years following the calendar reshuffle in 2021, the F1 season has kicked off in Bahrain following pre-season testing at the Sakhir circuit, but with two Aussie drivers on the grid in 2025, fans will be delighted to see the track return to the opening spot.

The street track will host new F1 driver Jack Doohan and McLaren star Oscar Piastri at their home race and ahead of the first grand prix of the year, fans have been handed another boost in an official ruling from the sport's governing body.

At the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, eager fans made their way onto the circuit for a track invasion, but there were still cars on track, causing the FIA to step in and enact changes which were forced to be carried out the following year as a result.

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Reimagined 'track walk' returns for 2025 Australian GP

The 2023 edition of the race at Albert Park saw fans spill onto the track prematurely and prompted major safety concerns after managing to get close to the stranded Haas of Nico Hulkenberg, which clearly displayed a flashing warning light to indicate the machinery was unsafe.

The incident led to an official FIA investigation into the safety of the event, with F1's governing body finding the organisers to be in serious breach of the sporting code, fining them €120,000 and issuing a post-race track walk ban for 2024 to clamp down on track access.

Ahead of this year's event, however, the Australian Grand Prix have confirmed that fans will regain access to the track in 2025, with reformed safety measures in place.

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Steve Dimopoulos, minister for tourism, sport and major events confirmed the news in an official statement, saying: "The track walk is back! When the race ends on the Sunday, fans will be able to step out onto the track and safely soak in the atmosphere of this internationally acclaimed race.

"The grand prix is one of Melbourne’s most iconic major sporting events - events like this create thousands of jobs for Victorians and fill our local hotels, cafes and attractions."

Australian Grand Prix corporation CEO Travis Auld added: "The track walk is a unique and cherished experience for our fans, and we are very excited to be able to welcome it back for 2025 and have this incredible moment shared around the world.

"There is nothing quite like seeing the passionate fans join in the celebration following the race and we can only hope that this year they’re celebrating an Aussie on the podium."

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