From epic rivalries, to monstrous crashes and podium near-misses, the Australian Grand Prix has been home to some unforgettable races. Ahead of the first race of the 2025 Formula 1 season, at Albert Park on Sunday, we’ve collated the top six memorable moments at the Melbourne and Adelaide street circuits.
The Australian Grand Prix will be the first race of the 2025 season. Credit: Getty Images
6. Spectators invade the track (2023)
The 2023 Australian Grand Prix was already notable for its chaos – with three red flags, several crashes and only eight drivers finishing the race.
However, the most dramatic moment arguably happened after the race when a group of fans broke through security and rushed on to the track while cars were completing cool down laps.
Adding to the safety concerns, Formula 1 fan Will Sweet was left bleeding after he was hit by flying debris from a car during the race.
The security breach led to the Australian Grand Prix Corporation banning track access for the 2024 Grand Prix. The ban has been overturned in 2025 and fans will be allowed to partake in the traditional post-race track walk and podium celebration.
5. Schumacher and Hill collide in title battle (1994)
Formula 1 is built off countless fierce rivalries. Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton, Alain Prost vs Ayrton Senna and Fernando Alonso vs pretty much everyone.
But the 1994 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide was the ultimate showdown between Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill who were battling for the championship on the last race of the season, with Schumacher leading by one point.
The pair raced closely for 35 laps and Hill attempted to pass Schumacher on the corner. What happened next is still controversial.
The pair collided when Schumacher turned in, sending the German’s Benetton into the barrier. With Schumacher out, Hill attempted to continue the race, but was forced to retire after damage to his Williams. Since neither driver scored, Schumacher took his maiden championship.
4. Lewis Hamilton debuts in red (2025)
Okay, technically this moment hasn’t happened yet, but this masthead is pretty confident Lewis Hamilton’s first race as a Ferrari driver will be one for the history books.
Hamilton announced his departure from Mercedes early last year, putting a full stop an extraordinary 11-year career with the Silver Arrows in which he won 84 grands prix, 153 podiums and six world championships – the most successful driver-team pairing in the sport’s history.
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton will debut in red at Albert Park. Credit: AP
Now, the seven-time world champion will debut in rosso corsa at Albert Park in the opening race of the Formula 1 calendar, in a bid to secure a record-breaking eighth championship.
In a recent interview with Time magazine Hamilton dismissed “older, white men” for criticising his move to Ferrari.
“Don’t ever compare me to anybody else,” he said. I’m the first and only Black driver that’s ever been in this sport. I’m built different. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had my own journey.”
3. Martin Brundle’s barrell roll and Villeneuve’s debut (1996)
You might recognise sports broadcaster Martin Brundle for his famous grid walk or iconic commentary for Sky Sports. But in 1996, Brundle was best known for crawling out of his upside-down Jordan seemingly unscathed after crashing in the opening lap of the Australian Grand Prix.
Brundle collided with the back of David Coulthard’s McLaren and Johnny Herbert’s Sauber near Turn 3 – an impact which sent Brundle hurtling through the air before rolling and crashing into a sand trap off-track.
Footage shows clouds of yellow dust swarming around the upside-down Jordan which was nearly torn in half with a missing gearbox. Cameras quickly cut away before returning to show Brundle remarkably slithering out from the debris. Brundle proceeds to sprint towards the pits to get his replacement car giving the safety marshalls an iconic thumbs up.
Meanwhile, a pole-sitting Jacques Villeneuve made his Formula 1 debut and finished second behind his teammate Damon Hill. Villeneuve would go on to win the Driver’s World Championship in 1997.
2. Ralf Schumacher flies and Webber scores points (2002)
Formula 1 sets the backdrop for some remarkable aerodynamic feats, however no one at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix expected Ralf Schumacher to, quite literally, soar through the air.
Williams team driver Ralf Schumacher from Germany flies through the air over the top of Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello of Brazil.Credit: STR
The race opened with carnage when Schumacher struck the rear of Rubens Barrichello’s Ferrari on the opening corner. The impact catapulted Schumacher into the air, grazing Barrichello’s helmet, before spinning off into the tyre wall. The accident triggered a domino pile-up, knocking eight drivers out of the race.
However, the chaos proved beneficial for Australian rookie driver Mark Webber who weaved his way through the debris to finish fifth on his debut race for underdog team Minardi.
While Webber didn’t secure a podium, he did score his first championship points and was welcomed to the rostrum with thunderous applause.
1. Ricciardo wins… then loses home podium (2014)
It was too good to be true. When Daniel Ricciardo crossed the chequered flag in second place in 2014, thousands of Australians cheered alongside him.
The last Australian driver to finish on the podium was John Smith in 1983 and Ricciardo had seemingly broken the drought – clinching his maiden podium on his debut race for Red Bull.
The triumphant 24-year-old celebrated in front of a jubilant Albert Park crowd, dousing fellow drivers Nico Rosberg and Kevin Magnussen with champagne and tossing his cap into the crowd.
But hours later, Ricciardo’s podium was revoked. Stewards discovered his car had exceeded the maximum fuel flow limit allowed during the race and the Australian was disqualified and stripped of his championship points.
