Rolex returns to the Australian Grand Prix

Swiss watchmaker Rolex has returned to be the title partner of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix as the race for tickets draws closer.

The famous race will be officially known as the Formula One Rolex Australian Grand Prix and will be held on the Albert Park streets between March 30 and April 2 2023.

It marks a comeback for the Swiss brand, which started its association with the Australian Grand Prix in 2013, when Kimi Raikkonen took his penultimate win of his long career in a Lotus.

Kimi Raikkonen leads the field en route to victory in the 2013 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. Image: Motorsport Images

Rolex remained the face of the race until 2020 when COVID-19 famously cancelled proceedings on the Thursday, while Heineken was the naming rights partner in the record-breaking return to Albert Park in April earlier this year.

But next year the familiar green and gold Rolex signs will be all over the recently redesigned 5.278km Melbourne circuit once again.

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were the only drivers to win at Albert Park on multiple occasions when Rolex was the naming rights partner of the race with Raikkonen, Nico Rosberg (2016) and Valtteri Bottas (2019) the others to lift the famous Jack Brabham Trophy during those seven years.

The announcement also marks a decade of the brand’s close affiliation with the pinnacle of motorsport, having been a global partner, official timekeeper and offical timepiece of Formula One since 2013.

Rolex is not the first naming rights sponsor to have a second bite of the cherry supporting the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Qantas sponsored the race from 1997 to 2001 and returned in 2010, being the naming rights partner for three more years until Rolex arrived.

Valtteri Bottas was the last man to win a Rolex supported Australian Grand Prix. Image: Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images

With the title sponsor confirmed, the countdown is on to the Australian Grand Prix, with coveted tickets to be made available in coming weeks.

The grandstand presale for AusGP Access members will take place on Tuesday, November 22, while the general public sale kicks off a week later.

Hospitality suite packages, including access to the Atrium and showstopper slipstream marquees will also go on sale on Tuesday, November 22.

The general admission Park Pass will be released on Tuesday, December 6.

The race for tickets will certainly be a competitive one after a record crowd of 419,114 piled into Albert Park over the four days earlier this year, smashing the previous record of 401,000 set in Melbourne’s first event in 1996.

Record breaking crowds stacked Albert Park at this year’s Australian Grand Prix. Photo by Carl Bingham / LAT Images)

In addition to the usual Formula One and Supercars action, Formula 2 and 3 will be racing in Australia for the first time next year.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott said Rolex returning is a big boost as excitement builds for 2023.

“Given the brand’s previous eight-year partnership with the Australian Grand Prix, we are thrilled to welcome Rolex back as title partner,” he said.

“Rolex has been synonymous with Formula One and we look forward to partnering with such an iconic brand to create incredible experiences at Albert Park.

“After an outstanding return in 2022, we are set for an even better world-class in 2023. Fans will be treated to four days of the very best in motorsport, entertainment and hospitality.

“We cannot wait to welcome them back to the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit.”

Rolex SA communication and image director Arnaud Boetsch said the announcement reflects the brands strong relationship with both the sport and the race.

“In 2023 Rolex renews its partnership with the Australian Grand Prix, one forged a decade ago when our brand also became a global partner and official timepiece of Formula One,” he said.

“The alliance with the pinnacle of motorsport is founded on our mutual quest for precision and world-leading technology.

“Rolex has strong ties to host city Melbourne and is proud to return as the race’s title sponsor in this global sporting capital.” 

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