V8 Supercars using Australian Formula One Grand Prix to go global

V8 Supercars is pushing for international expansion following the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, looking to capitalise on the larger following of F1, attributed to the Netflix series Drive to Survive.

Record crowds attended Albert Park over the four-day event, where F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told Supercars presenter and five-time Bathurst 1000 winner, Garth Tander, thatF1 is working with Supercars on the Australian category racing at overseas events.

“We are working to make sure this could be possible in certain grands prix,” Domenicali said during the live broadcast.

“So for all the fans of Supercars, stay tuned – that’s what I can say.”

As part of an ‘international expansion’ announced in 2022, Supercars publicly confirmed it was hoping to race at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, scheduled for 20-22 September, where it would somewhat replicate the supporting role it plays at the Australian Grand Prix.

However, rising freight costs and repeatedly delayed introduction of new ‘Gen3’ cars saw that plan paused – yet Domenicali’s comments clearly show such plans are back on the table.

Drive has asked Supercars for comment but is yet to receive an official response.

The category has previously raced in China, Abu Dhabi and the United States – with a ‘demonstration round’ in Malaysia in 2015 – but in 2023 did not hold a race outside Australia.

Supercars didn’t even make it across the Tasman last season despite six of its last eight championships being won by drivers from New Zealand – in Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen.

While it returns to New Zealand for the next round of the championship – its first event at Taupo – there has been criticism of not enough events on the calendar, with 12 in total for 2024.

In contrast, F1 has faced criticism for too many races with a record 24 scheduled for this season.

International races at grands prix could be a way to hold more Supercars races more often. “I think we definitely need to be at the [Australian] Grand Prix,” said Walkinshaw Andretti, United’s Ryan Walkinshaw.

Walkinshaw is part-owner of theWalkinshaw Andretti United Supercars team, tied in with the McLaren F1 team for which Melbourne-raised Oscar Piastri drove to