TREMAYNE: How Melbourne snatched the Australian GP from Adelaide 30 years ago
Not many countries can boast hosting the finale Grand Prix of one season, and the opening one the next, but that’s exactly what happened in Australia in 1996, as F1 Hall of Fame journalist David Tremayne explains.


Not many countries can boast hosting the finale Grand Prix of one season, and the opening one the next, but that’s exactly what happened in Australia in 1996.
It happened because of a deal so secret that its proponents used aliases when they travelled to the UK to discuss the idea of a switch from Adelaide to Melbourne with then-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone in 1993.
Next Up
Related Articles
UnlockedQUIZ: Maiden F1 winners at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Everything you need to know about the Hungaroring
UnlockedAll the stories that got the Hungary paddock talking
Why Aston Martin are ‘counting the days’ to Hungary upgrades
Facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2026 Hungarian GP
Verstappen aims to ‘keep momentum going’ after Red Bull gains
