Albert Park secures two-year extension to Grand Prix deal

Melbourne will continue to host the Australian Grand Prix until at least 2037 as part of a new deal announced by event organisers.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott with Victoria Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula at the 10-year contract announcement in June. (Supplied.)

The Australian Grand Prix will lose its status as the 2024 season-opener in exchange for the two-year contract extension.

Under the original 10-year deal announced in June, the Albert Park event was slated to be the first race of the Formula 1 season in 2024 and 2025, according to The Age.

Saudi Arabian promoters requested that the season be adjusted due to the timing of Ramadan in 2024.

The religious period begins on Sunday March 10 in Saudi Arabia, with the season to commence beforehand in Jeddah to avoid the scheduling conflict.

The original 10-year contract extension kept the Grand Prix in Melbourne until 2035, with Albert Park to start the season at least five times, including 2024 and 2025.

A Formula 1 spokesperson told Motorsport.com that Albert Park will now host the first race four times between 2023 and 2037.

Bahrain will host pre-season testing next year in late February before the first race on 5 March.