'Damon Hill walked by and no one recognised him': Not everyone's happy with record crowds at the Australian GP

Another year, another record crowd at the Australian Grand Prix. A total of 465,498 people attended this year’s race at Albert Park across the four days, 13,433 more than last year’s record crowd of 452,055.

It’s the fourth consecutive year the Melbourne record has been broken for the Australian Grand Prix, with this year’s race the fourth most attended Formula One race weekend in history.

But while records are celebrated each year and the growth of the sport in Australia continues to rise, it comes with one burning question hanging over it: at what cost is this success to the fan experience at the race?

For every year with increased crowds, the facilities at Albert Park don’t improve. The same grandstands, viewing areas and general facilities such as toilets and food outlets remain in place. Many long time attendees of the race question whether it is worth attending anymore.

Melbourne local Jimmy Tzovaras has been attending the race every year since 2007.

Throughout this period has seen some of the modern greats race around Albert Park including Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Max Verstappen.

But his experience today is much different today than it was 18 years ago.

“There’s no value in having a grandstand ticket anymore,” he said. “Previously a grandstand ticket let you join the GP Advantage membership club that gave you a window presale to pick the same seat for the following years race, gave you a pit walk, grid walk, magazine, lanyard and a precinct behind the Fangio Stand only for grandstand ticket holders.

“Now anyone and everyone had access to that precinct and it’s too crowded.”

He said that the crowds have also become too much for many of the popular fan experiences such as the Melbourne Walk, a designated zone for fans to hang out to try and secure a driver autograph as they enter the circuit and make their way to the paddock.

Previously the Melbourne Walk was an exclusive area for certain ticket holders and a much smaller and intimate area which allowed the true F1 super fans a close up look at their idols.

Now it has turned into a spectacle in itself, with many people attending the race to simply remain in the Melbourne Walk area all day and not even see any of the racing action.

“New fans are only there for a photo for their social media and wouldn’t have a clue when a legend walks by,” Tzovaras explained. “Yesterday Damon Hill walked by and nobody recognised him, but fans screamed when singer RAYE walked by.”

Hobart based Samuel McCrossen, who has flown up to the race every year since 2003, shares a similar sentiment.

“It’s a shame most people can’t access the Melbourne Walk anymore,” he said. “They are pushing the boundaries on crowd numbers.

“It’s harder to get around the circuit than it once was, particularly through the infield.”

McCrossen also said access to viewing points to see the action on the track had become limited over the years since the crowds have continued to increase.

“It’s definitely harder to find a spot by the fence to watch the races now,” he said. “There are a lot of campers, people who bring chairs and just sit there taking a spot by the fence that other people should have a chance to get access to.

“You want a seat, buy a grandstand ticket and stop being selfish.”

Some of the newer fans to the Grand Prix share similar feelings, although for them the experience of attending an F1 race is enough to overlook some of the inconveniences.

Michael Easton and Amelia Chan travelled to the 2025 race from Sydney for what was their second ever Australian Grand Prix.

The pair bought grandstand tickets to ensure they had a guaranteed viewing spot for the race sessions, but braved the Melbourne Walk on the Friday and Sunday to attempt to meet their favourite drivers.

“We came at 4.30 so we’ve been here for a long time,” Easton told The Roar on Sunday morning of the race. “It’s brutal, especially in the pouring rain, but it’s fun. It’s actually not that bad.”

Since coming in 2022, Easton said it had become more challenging to get around the circuit with the increased amount of fans, but it didn’t take away from his partner’s experiences.

“I think it’s kind of like being thrown into the deep end,” he explained. “There’s a little bit that could be run a bit better, especially with access to different parts and stuff. Like getting out of here was hectic the other day and other stuff we could be waiting for 30 minutes.

“But other than I think it’s pretty good as a whole.”

For Bea Du Preez from Perth, the 2025 Australian Grand Prix was her first ever taste of a Formula One Grand Prix.

She said that despite the early starts and not being able to see her favourite driver Charles Leclerc in the flesh, it had been a dream experience to attend a race in person and wasn’t too phased by the number of people.

“It doesn’t feel like there’s that many people,” she told The Roar. “There’s always a place to go or sit or chill out so it’s fine.

(Photo by Getty Images)

“Seeing the cars for the first ever time was amazing. It was very loud and very fast. But so cool.”

With the demand for tickets getting higher each year, there is no doubt that race organisers will continue to find ways to increase the amount made available for fans each season.

Of course there is a limit of what organisers can do to increase facilities at the circuit given the size of the Albert Park Lake and surrounds, but there has to be a balance found in order to continue to meet demand for the fans and giving them a comfortable and pleasant experience at the same time.

The Australian Grand Prix is guaranteed to remain on the calendar until at least 2035. Let’s hope that in the next ten years that balance can be found to keep all sets of Formula One fans happy who want to experience the sport down under.

This article was originally written for The Roar. You can read the published version here