Pakula reveals why he was on his phone – and the result!

Any doubt that Melbourne hadn’t fully emerged from the pandemic was well-and-truly put to bed over the weekend after historic crowds at Albert Park.

A record crowd of 419,114 filled the stands over four days at the first Australian Grand Prix in two years, and surrounding businesses made the most of it.

Restaurants filled there coffers, there was even outrageous Uber surge-pricing.

Australian Grand Prix CEO Andrew Westacott described it as “the happiest event he’s ever been to”.

And our very own sports minister, Martin Pakula, might have taken the event’s defining picture.

However, it was only published at the urging of cricket broadcaster Adam Collins, who saw him taking the snap in the background of one of his pictures!

Marty, gotta post the photo @MartinPakulaMP #F1 pic.twitter.com/0Uvn6geNnF

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) April 10, 2022

100% worth it https://t.co/abBw3g6dav pic.twitter.com/63ZHiH06Nb

— Martin Pakula 💉💉💉 (@MartinPakulaMP) April 10, 2022

“As Leclerc came up onto the podium there was just an opportunity to get this great shot of him from behind with the crowd in behind him, and it was just a magic moment for Melbourne,” Mr Pakula said on 3AW Mornings.

“I just think it was a magical moment and sometimes you have to document these things.

“And I wasn’t checking the Carlton scores, I can assure you of that!”

Press PLAY to hear from Martin Pakula below

Image: Twitter