Celebrating Moët & Chandon's return as the official Champagne of Formula 1
Former All Blacks champion Dan Carter, model Inka Williams and actor Abbey Lee attended the intimate dinner in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Grand Prix
By Amy Campbell
SIR JACKIE STEWART, Ayrton Senna, Nikki Lauda, Alain Prost, Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher – all iconic drivers who have celebrated Grand Prix wins with a pop of Moët & Chandon on the podium. And in 2025, the winners of each Formula 1 GP will do the same, as Moët returns as the official Champagne of F1.
To celebrate the season opening race, as well as its partnership with Formula 1 – the maison is part of LVMH, which recently signed a decade-long, billion dollar partnership with the sport – Moët put on an elegant dinner at a private residence in Melbourne last week. Hosted by President and CEO of Moët & Chandon Sibylle Scherer, the evening was attended by a cast of Australian sporting icons, former motorsport drivers as well as film and fashion stars, including former All Blacks rugby icon Dan Carter, Horizon: American Saga actress Abbey Lee, models Inka Williams and Montana Cox and renowned Melbourne restauranteur Chris Lucas.
Naturally, the Moët was flowing as those in attendance enjoyed pre-dinner drinks in a glass poolside pavilion, with an elaborate five courses, designed by superstar chef Joel Bickford, following at candlelit tables outside. The menu was arranged to be paired with various vintages, from the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016 (which accompanied an artistic plate of Paspaley pearl meat and beluga) to a rare Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2013, which was met by a standout dish of toothfish, smoked squid and sunchoke.
With a live soundtrack courtesy of renowned pianist Nathan Liow, the glamorous night served as a reminder of why the Champagne house and Formula 1 go so well together. They also go a long way back, with Moët & Chandon serving as the official Champagne partner of the motorsport from 1966 to 1999, and again briefly for the 2020 season.
Now, for the next 10 years, there will only be one brand of bubbles flowing on the F1 podium. And if you were to ask Lando Norris, the winner of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, he’d confirm that despite the downpour that descended on his podium moment at Albert Park on Sunday, that pop sounded particularly sweet.
For a look inside the exclusive evening, scroll on.
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