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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe F1 Exhibition has opened in Melbourne. Image: Supplied<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe F1 Exhibition has opened in Melbourne. Image: Supplied<\/p>\n
Spanning 23,000 square feet, the immersive exhibition offers fans an unprecedented journey through 75 years of Formula 1 history, from the sport\u2019s earliest triumphs to the cutting-edge technology of today.<\/p>\n
The exhibition has previously thrilled audiences in cities including Madrid, Vienna, London, Amsterdam, Toronto, and Buenos Aires, with Melbourne marking its debut in the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n
Fans attending are treated not only to the global story of F1, but also to a dedicated space celebrating Australia\u2019s rich motorsport heritage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe F1 Exhibition is a tribute to the past, present and future of Formula 1,\u201d producer Jonathan Linden told Speedcafe.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd in Melbourne we\u2019re spread across 23,000 square feet and we have seven purpose-built rooms that are celebrating the history of F1 and the evolution of the sport and then into modern day.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, as people expect in projects like this today, immersive, experiential elements. We have a fully immersive theatre. So I think anybody who likes F1, anybody who likes motorsports, anybody who likes fun events like this are really going to enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Visitors entering the exhibition are immediately immersed in a visual and sensory exploration of the sport.<\/p>\n
Iconic cars including Alan Jones\u2019 1980 Williams FW07\/04, Jack Brabham\u2019s 1966 Brabham BT19, Jenson Button\u2019s 2003 BAR Honda 005, Sebastian Vettel\u2019s 2011 Red Bull RB7, and Kimi Raikkonen\u2019s Australian Grand Prix-winning 2013 Lotus E21 are on display, each representing pivotal moments in F1 history.<\/p>\n
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A variety of items across the history of the sport are on display. Image: Supplied<\/p>\n
Speaking in front of the Red Bull RB7, Linden reflected on the effort involved in bringing it to Melbourne.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe car behind us, which is Seb Vettel\u2019s, obviously Mark Webber was also involved, but Seb Vettel won the 2011 championship in this car,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a lot of negotiations with him and his team to get it here, which is exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that one of the more unusual challenges was assembling the \u201cSurvival\u201d room, which features key pieces from Romain Grosjean\u2019s fiery 2020 Bahrain crash, including the steering wheel, a tyre, and the gloves and boots he wore during his dramatic escape from the burning Haas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a very unusual one, because there\u2019s a lot of these cars, artefacts, elements that have a value,\u201d Linden explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the team that was trying to determine, what do we want to do with all of these elements? That were part of, on one hand a horrific crash, on the other hand, a crash the driver walked away from.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us it was very important, because one of the themes, and we went over this with Formula 1 and Stefano Domenicali [CEO of F1], is there\u2019s an innovation thread that goes through the narrative.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd so being able to show some of the really old cars and helmets at the beginning, and then the evolution through time where you can walk away from a crash like that. And you know, some of those innovations and aerodynamics and safety and everything else have trickled down to the cars that we drive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an important storyline for F1 and we feel as if we\u2019ve told it effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grosjean\u2019s former performance coach Kim Keedle, who went on to work with Oscar Piastri until the end of last season, shared his own reflections with Speedcafe on seeing the items on display.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, it\u2019s a little bit surreal to be honest,\u201d he reflected.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis gloves are here, which I only found out about last week, and I haven\u2019t seen those for five years since Bahrain.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took me back to Bahrain five years ago, which was obviously a pretty big moment in my professional career and obviously a horrific crash for Romain, which luckily he came out of quite okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keedle, who was present at the Bahrain circuit during the accident, recalled the intense uncertainty of those moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a bizarre feeling. Almost a very hollow feeling,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause someone you care so deeply for and you have such a great relationship, is in a car not responding.<\/p>\n
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Romain Grosjean\u2019s wheel from his 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix crash. Image: Ben Waterworth<\/p>\n
\u201cHis mic cut out, so his race engineer couldn\u2019t talk to him, or couldn\u2019t communicate with him. So you\u2019re starting to fear the worst. He\u2019s either in a car unconscious that\u2019s burning, or even worse than that. So it was a big relief to hear when the team manager from Haas came over the radio and said that he\u2019s out of the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then you think, okay, well great, at least he\u2019s alive, and now we can assess the injuries. So yeah, it was a surreal moment. Quite haunting almost. But obviously it\u2019s a good news story.<\/p>\n
\u201cFull credit to Formula 1 and the FIA for advancing safety so far that you can have a horrific crash like that and climb out of the car yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
After exploring F1\u2019s global history and pivotal crashes, the exhibition shifts focus to Australia\u2019s racing legacy, celebrating local heroes past and present.<\/p>\n
A special Australian room showcases the legacy of Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, Daniel Ricciardo, Mark Webber, and current star Oscar Piastri.<\/p>\n
Current Aussie F1 Academy drivers Joanne Ciconte and Aiva Anagnostiadis also have items of their careers on display, with Ciconte\u2019s race suit, kart, helmet, and trophies featured prominently.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means so much. I can\u2019t even explain,\u201d Ciconte told Speedcafe on opening night.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd to look back at my journey and my story as a driver, and see my stuff out here getting appreciated. It means so much to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter all the hard work and all the dedication, it\u2019s up here for display for people to see that story and that journey of my career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great feeling and I\u2019m so excited that it\u2019s out here for display and people get to see that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Australian F1 Academy driver Joanne Ciconte in front of one of her karts. Image: Jawad Yaqub<\/p>\n
Ciconte also hopes that younger fans, particularly aspiring female racers, will be inspired by the exhibition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s the one key thing that I missed when I was younger,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still only 16 years old and I\u2019m competing in the biggest championship for females in motorsport. And I think that F1 Academy is such a great opportunity to really bring that spotlight on us girls.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I hope that I\u2019ll be an inspiration. I think I\u2019m becoming one at only 16 years old. And that\u2019s really heartwarming for me to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
The exhibition is designed to educate as well as entertain.<\/p>\n
Visitors can explore the Design Lab to see how teams engineer, test, and refine race cars, as well as interactive simulators that allow them to experience the thrill of racing firsthand. The Drivers and Duels gallery celebrates legendary rivalries, while Revolution by Design looks to the sport\u2019s technological future.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things that we\u2019ve talked with F1 a lot about is there are a lot of new fans. There are a lot of casual fans,\u201d Linden explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of them came in through Drive to Survive, and it feels as if a lot of them want to bridge the knowledge gap. They\u2019re enjoying what they see. They enjoy F1. They\u2019ve come to it because it\u2019s fast. It\u2019s premium. It\u2019s the place to be. It\u2019s exciting.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, you know, they don\u2019t exactly know how the qualifying works. They don\u2019t know exactly how points work.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd so bridging the knowledge gap through the exhibition is something that we\u2019ve set out to do and I think people are enjoying doing it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
For fans, the exhibition offers a mix of nostalgia and innovation. Alongside rare cars and driver memorabilia, there are hands-on activities including designing your own helmet and stepping into a virtual mirror wearing the race suit of a favourite driver.<\/p>\n
Visitors can also access more than 100 exclusive interviews with drivers, engineers, and other key figures from F1 history.<\/p>\n
For Linden, the Melbourne show is a milestone in the exhibition\u2019s global journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never been to Australia. We\u2019ve been trying to get the project here for a long time and so we think the timing\u2019s perfect and we\u2019re excited to be here.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis venue holds the project really well. And so we think people are going to think it\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n
The F1 Exhibition is open daily at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and runs until April 19, 2026.<\/p>\n
Speedcafe has five double passes to the exhbition to give away. Stay tuned to our social media channels during the week for more details!<\/p>\n
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