Melbourne has hosted Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix since 1996 but Sydney was making a concerted effort to snatch the hosting rights away from its fellow Aussie city. That tussle came to an end over the weekend as Melbourne was granted an extension by the local state government in Victoria to the hosting rights by F1 to the Australian Grand Prix through the 2023 season. Previously, the hosting rights had been scheduled to expire in 2020.
Prior to Melbourne, Formula One’s season opening race had been held in Adelaide.
The 2015 Formula One season continues with the Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay at 5 a.m. [PDT] on NBCSN on September 20, 2015.