With the return of the Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix marking the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship’s first appearance at the international event – the category’s round prize will be named after Alan Jones.
 
A full field of 17 cars will be part of the battle for the Alan Jones Trophy with the 1980 Formula One World Champion to present the award.
 
Jones has quite a history in F5000 open-wheelers himself, having competed in the category all around Europe, the United States and Australia before moving up to Formula 1.
 
Since its S5000 foundation in 2018, Jones has been a big supporter of the category and was originally slated to present the award in 2020 before the cancellation.
 
Now with the category finally getting its chance to compete on the world stage, Jones was looking forward to an exciting weekend.
 
“It's terrific that after two years virtually lost to COVID, S5000 is finally running at the Australian Grand Prix, as it was originally scheduled to in 2020," Jones said.
 
"As I said last time, S5000 is a great formula for single seater racing in this part of the world.
 
“A full grid, at full noise, with some top young drivers, will be impressive."
 
The Championship, which is also the recipient of the Motorsport Australia Gold Star, will enjoy plenty of track time during the Australian Grand Prix program with three races to take place across the weekend.
 
Starting with two practice sessions and qualifying on Thursday, the category will then have one race on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
 
A full field of cars will feature in the round with Aussie IndyCar and NASCAR driver James Davison, Tasman Series champion Aaron Cameron and Ben Bargwanna all entered.
 
Championship leader Tim Macrow, reigning champion Joey Mawson and other contenders Cooper Webster and James Golding are also locked in to compete.
 
The third round of the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship takes place at the Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix in Albert Park on 7-10 April.