As the sun set over the Albert Park circuit after Friday practice for the opening round of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship in Melbourne, a group of very excited women got to experience a world first event for Formula 1, a ‘Beauty in the Pit Lane Masterclass’.
At the invitation of MECCA MAX, we gathered at their Beauty Pit Stop activation, situated in the vibrant Melbourne Junction, metres from the ever-popular Melbourne Walk. The trackside beauty garage gave fans the opportunity for a complimentary express eye services using the Zoom franchise’s high-performance formulas, in addition to a pop-up shop with items that could be purchased.
From here we were ushered onto the starting line of the main straight where the flatbed trailer that carried the F1 drivers for their Parade Lap before the 2025 Australian Grand Prix was waiting for us. We set off and cheered and laughed as we completed a lap of the circuit, with smiles and waves to those people still sitting in the grandstands and runners enjoying a lap of the circuit themselves.
We pulled up under the starting light gantry on the main straight and proceeded to pitlane exit where MECCA MAX had set up seats and tables with mirrors and their Ready Set Zoom! limited edition eye makeup value set, that had been created exclusively to celebrate the Formula 1 QATAR Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026, on hand for us to sample as part of the masterclass.
To ensure we got the most from this amazing experience iconic Australian makeup artist Max Made, was on hand to give us an eye-focused makeup masterclass with the sound of wheel guns coming from the F1 garages just metres away. It was fitting then that the MECCA MAX set used as part of the masterclass focused on the exclusive Zoom Zip Liner in shade Motor Oil, an auto-inspired purple-blue duo shimmer.
“This was INSANE!!! ❤️❤️❤️” shared Tess Alexander on Instagram. Tess is an Australian presenter, former Miss World Australia and allied health professional who is on a mission to break down unrealistic beauty tropes.
“SO EPICCCC,” shared Amy Pejkovic on Instagram, who is an F1 content creator and model.
“It was amazing to be a part of the first-ever MECCA MAX Masterclass in Pit Lane!” shared Drive presenter Emma Notarfrancesco on Instagram.
From pit lane we went back to the MECCA MAX Beauty Pit Stop and enjoyed some Moet champagne and canapes before hearing from Emma Pinwill, the Chief Commercial Officer at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Charlie Barlow, Development Manager at Motorsport Australia and prominent motorsport broadcaster.
This is the third year that MECCA MAX has had a presence at the Australian Grand Prix and each year that expands exponentially. That’s because women accounted for 42 per cent of F1 fans globally in 2025, growing from 37 per cent in 2018. Melbourne boasts the largest share of female fans at any F1 race in the world, with around 45 per cent in 2025 and Emma Pinwell is expecting the data for 2026 to show that split is now almost 50:50.
“Partnering with MECCA MAX, a Melbourne born and female-founded brand, feels especially meaningful and showcases the exciting direction motorsport is heading. The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix is more than just a race; it’s a celebration of sport, fashion, art, entertainment, and everything else that makes our city so great,” said Pinwill.
I can’t wait to see what is in store for female fans at the 2027 Australian Grand Prix with MECCA MAX, when Melbourne will host the third round of the Formula World Championship. Fans can register their interest for tickets here.
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Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.