Story byMotorsport photoFilip CleerenTue, March 3, 2026 at 8:39 AM UTC·7 min readBoosted by McLaren frontrunner Oscar Piastri, Formula 1's Australian GP is set to enjoy another attendance boost as event organisers embrace the uncertainty over the new 2026 regulations. As was the case last year, Melbourne is hosting the F1 season opener instead of Bahrain. It's naturally one of the most coveted spots on the calendar, and that rings true more than ever in 2026 given the uncertainties around a fresh pecking order and the way this new generation of cars will race. But the Australian GP's chief events officer Tom Mottram sees the current doubts over energy deployment and concerns over the spectacle as an opportunity for a memorable season kick-off, rather than a risk. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhen asked if there were any concerns the race would be a dud, Mottram replied: "I wouldn't say so.