Melbourne set to host 2025 F1 season opener

Melbourne will "reclaim the first race" of the F1 season next year, with the Albert Park race set to be the 2025 season opener. The 2025 launch will be the "first time since 2019 that Albert Park has staged the coveted season opener." As the first race in 2025, Melbourne also will "launch the Ferrari debut" of Lewis Hamilton. In a deal to extend the length of its Melbourne contract, the Victoria state government "agreed to relinquish its grip on exclusive status as the first race of the season," However, there is a clause in Melbourne’s current contract that it "must host a season opener at least four times between 2025 and 2037" (Melbourne HERALD SUN, 4/12). Bahrain has hosted the opening race for the last four years, but the timing of Ramadan next year means the race, along with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, "have been pushed back to April" (SKYSPORTS.com, 4/12).