Formula 1 News: Australian GP to open 2025 reshuffled schedule (Update)

(GMM) The buzz in the Melbourne paddock is that Albert Park will return to its former post as the opening Formula 1 race of the season from 2025.

More recently, Bahrain – also the scene of pre-season testing – had become the more familiar opener each season. This year, the Bahrain GP was paired with Saudi Arabia, in part so they were complete before the Islamic month of fasting and prayer, otherwise known as Ramadan, kicked off.

But next year, Ramadan will start at the end of February, meaning it now makes sense to restore Australia as the first race of 2025.

However, De Telegraaf correspondent Erik van Haren reported from Melbourne that it is rumored that Bahrain will still host pre-season testing a week or two before Melbourne.

“Formula 1 doesn’t want to confirm the news at this time,” he said.

However, there are hints that Melbourne will definitely be the first race next year. First, the event’s contract through 2035 stipulates that at least five Australian grands prix in the new deal must be season openers as a “guaranteed minimum”.

And organizers of the increasingly-popular Adelaide Motorsport Festival – which hosted names including Damon Hill, Gunther Steiner, Valtteri Bottas and many other F1 regulars just a week ago – have now named March 1-2 for the 2025 event.

That would make March 7-9 as the logical season-opening date for the 2025 Australian GP.

“International and Australian motorsport stars will once again come to Adelaide on the weekend of March 1 and 2 in 2025, for what will be a bumper weekend of on-track action and off-track activities,” the Adelaide Motorsport Festival declared.

The 2025 F1 season will start with the Australian GP, likely on March 2nd because Ramadan in the Middle East runs from February 27 through to March 29th

China and Japan are likely to be March 16th and March 23rd, before F1 heads back to the Middle East for night races in Bahrain on April 6 and Saudi Arabia on April 13.

Miami is likely to follow 2 weeks later on April 27th or May 4th.

Jack Doohan to celebrate father Mick’s success with Albert Park Demonstration Laps

BWT Alpine F1 Team’s Reserve Driver Jack Doohan will join his father Mick on track for the very first time at Albert Park, Melbourne, during the Australian GP weekend to celebrate Doohan Senior’s 30-year anniversary since his first of five 500cc Motorcycling World Championship titles.

Jack will drive a classic Formula 1 car – the 2000 Benetton B200, designed and made at Alpine’s current Formula 1 HQ in Enstone – alongside Mick who will ride a production MotoGP Honda RCV213.

The event marks 30 years since Mick’s 1994 triumph in the pinnacle 500cc class, his first of five consecutive world championship titles in an era of dominance for the Australian.

Jack and Mick will be on track for the very first time in their respective sports, marking a special family moment as well as a unique celebration of the Doohan name in global motorsport.

Jack is BWT Alpine F1 Team’s Reserve Driver for the 2024 season, having held the role in 2023 alongside his racing duties in FIA Formula 2 where he finished third in the Championship.

The young Australian won three Feature Races in 2023 – the most of any driver – as well as claiming a further two podium visits and two pole positions. He plays a vital role for the team in 2024 as Reserve Driver, contributing on the team’s simulator at Enstone, as well as undertaking a private Formula 1 test program in previous machinery.

The V10 powered Benetton he will drive around Albert Park was the Enstone-based team’s entry in the 2000 Formula 1 season with race drivers Alex Wurz and Giancarlo Fisichella.

Mick’s 1994 season will forever be remembered as the beginning of a period of dominance in the sport. Aboard the Honda NSR500, Mick never finished lower than third during the season. He won nine races, including six in a row, on his way to 317 points in the championship, 143 more than his nearest rival in the category.

The Doohan Demonstration Laps will take place (all times AEDT) at Australian GP:
Saturday: 9:55am – 10:20am & 3:15pm – 3:30pm
Sunday: 1:35pm – 1:50pm

Jack Doohan, BWT Alpine F1 Team, Reserve Driver: “I’m so excited to be on track with my Dad in Albert Park during the Australian GP weekend. It’s actually the first time we have shared a track together with me in a car and him on a bike so that will be an incredibly special moment. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate his success in front of the Australian fans. And, for me, it’s a unique opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car around such an iconic track. Hopefully next year it will be the real thing! That’s my target and I’m working hard to achieving my ultimate dream.”

Mick Doohan: “Firstly, thanks to the Australian GP Corporation and to Formula 1 for this amazing opportunity. Any time I can jump on a bike at these types of events, it’s always a real pleasure. It marks 30 years since my first world title back in 1994. Time does go by so quickly, as now, I’m going to be on track with my son, which will be a truly special moment for both of us. I continue to support Jack and support his career endeavors working towards the goal of racing in Formula 1. We’re both very much excited to putting on a show in front of the home fans in Melbourne over the Grand Prix weekend at Albert Park.”