After losing both pit lane access and the ability to engage with their fans, the Supercars Championship is rethinking its spot on the Australian GP calendar. Albert Park is world-famous for F1, but the local Supercars series is unhappy with how they've been handled for the 2024 race. With F2 and F3 taking up the support slots, Supercars were forced out of the second pit lane. Now, their staff are relegated to tents behind the main facilities, and supporters are banned from the area.
Following the loss of access to the pit lane and fans, the Supercars Championship is considering its future on the F1 Australian GP calendar. The Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park is one of the most iconic venues on the Formula One calendar, but Australia’s hallmark Supercars Championship has expressed concerns over their treatment ahead of the 2024 event. The 2024 Australian Grand Prix features a packed support-race schedule, with Formula 2 and Formula 3 in play, and Supercars have been ejected out of the second pit lane to make space for F2, placing Supercars workers in tents behind the facilities, with fans barred from entering the area.
This shift means there won't be any pit stops during the SuperSprint. Because of this, CEO Shane Howard has been very clear: the current arrangement isn't working, and a new deal must be reached if Supercars are to stay on the program beyond 2024. In a conversation with the Herald Sun, Howard noted that while they are working through these major changes with the AGPC, it's a difficult transition.
Howard noted that while they obviously want pit lane access, they recognize that Formula 2 is the primary support series for F1. He also understands the safety concerns regarding general admission in the pit area, as mixing crowds with moving race cars could lead to dangerous accidents.
However, Howard mentioned he is in close contact with AGPC CEO Travis Auld. According to him, Auld genuinely wants the series there and is committed to improving the setup for a better show. The main priority, however, is the fan experience. Howard emphasized that supporters must have access to the teams and drivers. While he admitted this cannot be fixed for the current year, he believes they can find a solution for future events.
The goal now is to collaborate with the corporation to meet everyone's needs—ensuring the event feels like a proper championship round despite the remote paddock and giving fans the racing and access they expect. Howard concluded that after a full debrief with all parties, they will make an informed decision on how to move forward.