MP Pushes to Name Albert Park Corner After Leyburn to Honor Australian GP Heritage

Australian MP David Littleproud is pushing to have one of Albert Park's unnamed corners named after Leyburn, a small Queensland township that remains a foundational piece of Australian motorsport history. The call comes as the Historic Leyburn Sprints prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary and mark 77 years since the town hosted the 1949 Australian Grand Prix, with three original cars from that landmark race set to return to the track.

Why it matters:

The campaign seeks to formally connect Formula 1's modern Australian Grand Prix with the nation's grassroots racing heritage. Recognizing Leyburn at Albert Park would honor one of the earliest chapters of Australian motorsport history on the sport's current biggest stage, reinforcing that the country's Grand Prix story extends far beyond Melbourne's city limits.

The details:

• Littleproud, whose electorate includes Leyburn, has contacted the Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO to propose naming an unnamed corner after the township.
• Leyburn hosted the 1949 Australian Grand Prix, and three surviving cars from that race are set to compete at this year's Historic Leyburn Sprints on August 15-16.
• The event has drawn over 240 entries for its 30th anniversary celebrations, highlighting strong enthusiasm for historic motorsport in regional Australia.
• Tricia Chant, president of the Historic Leyburn Sprints, welcomed the advocacy, noting the town's "direct link" to Melbourne's modern Formula 1 grand prix and its role in preserving national racing heritage.

What's next:

The proposal now rests with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. With the Historic Leyburn Sprints running this weekend and global attention fixed on Albert Park each Formula 1 season, campaign supporters see a timely opportunity to secure permanent recognition for the regional town that helped launch Australian Grand Prix racing.