My name is Milana Lamberti.
I've been watching F1 since 2008 when I was just three years old. I currently study a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing at RMIT and are currently doing an internship with AGPC as a part of my course work.
I was asked to write a piece on what the Australian Grand Prix means to me as a fan, but it's hard to explain exactly why it's so important to me. It's so much more than a weekend of events, drivers and races. It's an experience that brings a community together, for me that community is my family.
As long as I can remember, my dad has watched every qualifying session and every Sunday race. The passion he has for Formula 1 stems from both my family's Italian heritage and his love for anything with an engine. Like many Tifosi, his loyalty to the team was handed down from his parents and has since become a love we all share.
The Grand Prix weekend is my favourite way to connect with my dad, my family, and our heritage.
We arrive at Albert Park bright and early, staying the entire day. Throughout the day we meet with cousins and friends, creating a bubble of red amongst the sea of orange that dominates Melbourne's Formula 1 crowds. What I cherish the most is the excitement, laughter, and shared enjoyment that the weekend brings.
While each Australian Grand Prix provides me with long-lasting memories, the 2024 weekend is my absolute favourite to date. For many Australian Ferrari fans this was an unforgettable race, seeing Ferrari go one-two brought me to tears in the best way possible. The excitement in our red bubble was unmatched when we saw Carlos Sainz drive past followed directly by Charles Leclerc. Celebrations didn't end with the race, as calls to family members were endless, even my 92-year-old Nonna couldn't hold back how happy she was over facetime.
Whilst Albert Park is only lit up for four days a year with the roar of engines and the screaming of fans, it serves as a reminder of why we keep coming back. For me it's about more than motorsport.
It's about family, tradition, and creating memories that last long after race weekend.