ABOUT

John Toscano has been part of Melbourne's annual Formula One event from before that first memorable race was held in 1996.

When I first met John, his enthusiasm and effervesent character made an immediate impression (as did his ability, for an Australian of Italian heritage to speak Greek so fluently). Over the years, as we came to know each other his love of life and Formula One,

seemed to animate themselves through his photography. During the last Adelaide Grand Prix in 1995, he asked me how he could continue to pursue his passion for Formula One. I arranged an interview with Stuart Sykes, our Media Manager, who was immediately impressed enough with his work to offer him a role - it is hard to say no to John.

There are photographers that treat their assignments, ‘as just a job’, but from the outset John became a part of that first dynamic Australian Grand Prix Corp team. As the event’s official photographer for many years, his collection of photos vividly chronicle Melbourne’s Grand Prix.

John’s style and presence has never been intrusive, he captures the moment with a minimum of fuss, and amazingly still seems to have been part of what just happened. His close relationship with the teams, drivers, and organisers are reflected in his candid and often very rare behind the scenes images, which have been seen in Formula One publications in Australia and Internationally.

Peter Abraam
Former Victorian Major Events Company CEO and Australian Grand Prix Corporation Executive