As engines ignited in Melbourne for the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026, a parallel celebration unfolded across the Tasman. In Auckland, Moët & Chandon hosted New Zealand’s first viewing party as the official Champagne of Formula 1, transforming The Wine Room by David Nash into a podium of its own.
The partnership between Moët & Chandon and Formula 1 dates back to 1950 at the Reims Grand Prix, when Frédéric Chandon de Briailles offered a bottle of champagne to the race winner, establishing a ritual that would become inseparable from the sport. The Jeroboam, the 3L Moët & Chandon bottle that is popped at the end of every F1 race, has since become an emblem of achievement, lifted and shared in moments that define careers and captivate global audiences. Each bottle is signed by the winning driver before being shared with their team, carrying with it the signatures, stories and legacy of champions past and present.
In Auckland, guests arrived to a scene that felt unmistakably Formula 1. A red carpet stretched along the entrance, lined with a sleek display of sports cars, leading to a podium-inspired photo wall where guests stepped up for their own victory shot before heading inside.
Flutes of Moët & Chandon awaited on arrival as the room quickly filled with guests eager to watch the race unfold. The Wine Room was packed in the best possible way, the kind of lively crowd that only adds to the atmosphere. A single large screen glowed with race coverage while conversation and laughter carried across the space.
At the centre of attention stood a glittering champagne tower, a tribute to the celebratory ritual synonymous with Formula 1. Glasses were filled and raised throughout the evening, echoing the podium tradition that has defined the sport for decades.
Motorsport history also found its place in the room. Moët & Chandon Jeroboams signed by racing legends including Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, had been flown directly from the Maison in Paris to celebrate the occasion.
As Mercedes and Ferrari battled it out for the prime podium spot, the room hummed with cheers and clinking glasses. It was clear that the Formula 1 spirit had travelled well beyond Melbourne.
