On a quiet stretch of Chapel Street in Melbourne, one of the city’s hidden gems has just opened its doors. The Glowing Structures Gallery at 541 Chapel Street is hosting a career-spanning exhibition from motorsport photographer John Toscano, bringing together 30 years of Formula 1 imagery — from Ayrton Senna to Michael Schumacher, from Abu Dhabi sunsets to Melbourne’s own Albert Park. Long-time friend and fellow F1 photographer Mark Sutton dropped by to walk the gallery floor and hear the stories behind the shots.
A Career-Defining Photograph from the 2005 Australian Grand Prix
Asked to choose his favourite image in the collection, Toscano pointed to a photograph of Giancarlo Fisichella climbing out of his car in the pit lane after the 2005 Australian Grand Prix, steering wheel still in hand. What makes the shot special, both photographers agreed, is not Fisichella himself but two anonymous hands reaching into frame — a mechanic or fan sharing in the moment. It is exactly the kind of unscripted emotion, they noted, that has largely vanished from modern podium celebrations now that parc fermé procedures keep teams away from drivers in the moments after the chequered flag.
Why Modern Podium Celebrations “Hit Differently”
Sutton, who was trackside for George Russell’s win at this year’s Australian Grand Prix, explained that today’s celebrations feel more choreographed than in years past — a high-five for the mechanics, followed by a short run through parc fermé, rather than the spontaneous scenes photographers once captured trackside. With Albert Park’s pit and paddock complex earmarked for a major rebuild, both photographers expect the podium experience — and the photo opportunities that come with it — to shift again in the years ahead.
Shooting From Above: Toscano’s Signature Angle
One of Toscano’s trademark techniques is shooting from a reserved position above the podium, calling down to drivers — occasionally in Italian — to persuade them to glance upward at the lens. It is a small trick of the trade behind some of his most striking images, including his celebrated overhead shot of Jenson Button spraying champagne on the Melbourne podium.
Remembering Senna, Schumacher and F1’s Golden Era
The gallery walk also revisited some of the sport’s most historic frames, including images from Michael Schumacher’s first World Championship win in Adelaide in 1994, captured alongside a young mechanic named Jonathan Wheatley — now Team Principal at Audi. One of Toscano’s Adelaide photographs later featured in a recent Benetton-era Formula 1 documentary, screened in both Rome and London.
Inside the 2025 Australian Grand Prix Weekend
Turning to this year’s race, Sutton and Toscano broke down a dramatic weekend at Albert Park. George Russell claimed a commanding victory, while rookie Kimi Antonelli delivered an emotional podium finish on debut. The mood on the main grandstand turned to heartbreak, however, when home favourite Oscar Piastri went off at Turn Four on the opening lap in front of a sea of orange-and-blue Piastri shirts and flags.
The pair also discussed the new-regulation cars, describing tighter, more competitive racing thanks to a movable rear wing that has effectively replaced the traditional DRS system. One highlight of the weekend was a dramatic opening-lap near-miss, where Liam Lawson stalled on the grid, and Franco Colapinto narrowly avoided a collision — a sequence captured in striking slow motion by fellow photographer Jean Michel Tibi. By the numbers, the race produced a remarkable 120 overtakes, up from just 45 the previous year, underlining how much the new rules have transformed the on-track action.
Melbourne’s Fan Culture and the “Drive to Survive” Effect
Beyond the racing, both photographers reflected on how dramatically the Australian Grand Prix’s fan experience has grown since the 1990s. The famous Melbourne Walk, where fans now queue from early morning to see drivers arrive, draws crowds spanning generations and nationalities. Sutton and Toscano credited Netflix’s Drive to Survive with drawing a significantly younger and more international audience, noting a marked rise in female attendance among fans lining up trackside.
Season Predictions: Ferrari, Mercedes and a Dark Horse
Looking ahead to the rest of the 2025 season, the pair shared their predictions:
- 🔴 Ferrari vs Mercedes — both photographers expect a close fight at the front, though they differ on who holds the edge.
- 🏎️ Is George Russell the dark horse? Sutton backs Mercedes’ race pace and energy recovery to carry Russell deep into the title fight.
- 📸 The art of 1/5000th of a second — how photographers freeze F1’s fastest-ever cars in a single frame.
- 🎉 120 overtakes in Melbourne — arguably the best racing the new regulations have produced yet.
- 🇦🇺 Why Melbourne remains a must-attend race on the Formula 1 calendar.
Plan Your Visit
The exhibition at Glowing Structures Gallery, 541 Chapel Street, Melbourne, remains open for another ten days, offering fans a close-up look at three decades of Formula 1’s most iconic photography — from Fisichella’s 2005 pit lane moment to this year’s Albert Park drama.
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Don’t miss this one. Whether you’re an F1 fanatic, a photography enthusiast, or just love great conversation — this episode has something for everyone.
Follow John on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/johntoscanof1/
Follow Mark on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/f1sutton/
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