Australia officially joined the Formula 1 World Championship in 1985, with the race held at the Adelaide Street Circuit in South Australia. It immediately became iconic for:

• Its fast, technical layout

• Unpredictable weather

• Being the season finale for many years

Adelaide witnessed some legendary moments, including:

• The infamous 1986 title showdown, where Nigel Mansell's tyre exploded

• Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, and Ayrton Senna all taking wins there

In 1996, the Grand Prix moved to Albert Park in Melbourne, where it's typically held as the season opener (with some exceptions like COVID-era calendar reshuffles). Melbourne brought:

• A more polished, parkland-style temporary circuit

• Massive fan attendance and a vibrant festival atmosphere

• A reputation for first-lap drama and surprise performances

Memorable Melbourne moments include:

• Damon Hill’s victory in the first Melbourne race (1996)

• Debuts of drivers like Lewis Hamilton (2007) and Jacques Villeneuve (1996)

• The shock win by Valtteri Bottas in 2019, breaking Mercedes team orders