F1 Fan Festival headlined by Doohan and Piastri

Aussie’s Jack Doohan and Oscar Piastri will headline the driver appearances on the opening day of the free F1 Melbourne Fan Festival, with recent Dakar winner Daniel Sanders also a part of the five day offering.

With the start of the Formula 1 season just two weekends away and the track-side build well underway, the free fan festival will run from March 12-16.

Both Piastri and Doohan – ahead of home F1 debut – will have a live Q&A session at the Melbourne Park Oval where the festival will happen, starting from next Wednesday.

Across the five days there will also be an appearance from “Chucky” Sanders, who’s on a current streak of three FIM World Rally-Raid Championship wins, T8’s Broc Feeney and Will Brown, to name a few.

It’s a big few weeks for Doohan, with the son of 500cc legend Mick Doohan having worked his backside off to gain the Alpine seat, where he then made his on track debut in the 2024 F1 season finale where he finished in P15.

“I’m super excited to see you all at the F1 Melbourne Fan Festival on Wednesday afternoon,” Doohan said.

“…and I’m very grateful for all your support leading into my home GP and I can’t wait to get the weekend underway.”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Travis Auld, said the initiative was to open up the experience to occasions usually closed off to non-ticket holders.

“The appearance of Oscar and Jack offers fans a free and exclusive opportunity to hear from the drivers ahead of their home race, something usually reserved for ticket holders

attending the Grand Prix at Albert Park,” he said.

“Over the five-day festival, fans will also get the opportunity to hear from Formula 1

Reserve drivers and a Team Principal, Supercars drivers, and even Australia’s own 2025 Dakar Rally Winner, extending the excitement of race week from the track to Melbourne Park Oval.”

Other appearances across the five-day festival will include:

• Ferrari Reserve driver Zhou Guanyu

• VCARB Reserve driver – Ayumu Iwasa

• VCARB Team Principal – Laurent Mekies

• Supercars Red Bull Team – Broc Feeney and Will Brown

• Supercars Blanchard Racing Team – James Courtney and Aaron Love

• Supercars Walkinshaw Andretti United Team – Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood

• 2025 Dakar Rally Winner – Daniel “Chucky” Sanders

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