The 2026 Formula 1 season is about to begin with a race through Melbourne’s Grand Prix circuit in Australia, where one of the world’s hottest models left jaws on the floor
The new Formula 1 season is getting ready to go lights out at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne – but this year’s first race will be nothing like the build-up when a lingerie model strolled around the paddock.
In 2003, WonderBra star Marina Dior turned up at the garages at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne in a skimpy beige underwear set. The model posed with Renault mechanics sporting bright blue overalls and huge grins.
Dior grabbed then-rookie Fernando Alonso’s helmet for a cheeky picture. She held the young racer’s headgear by her side as the driver’s racing team stood in the background.
Coincidentally, this was the same Grand Prix in which Alonso made his debut back in 2001, when he signed for Minardi. The Spaniard joined Renault a year later and got a promotion to a full-time seat in the same season as this sexy photoshoot.
Dior would go on to take more snaps around the Renault garage. This included one where she posed next to the car in a hat, wearing a black tankini.
Fans will revel in a young Alonso in some photos with Dior, who leaned on his racecar. The Spaniard stood awkwardly next to the model in his full F1 gear as Dior sat on the car in a much more revealing outfit.
She sported a red lacy set and a Renault zipped sweatshirt that grazed her back and shoulders, revealing her outfit. While Alonso stood in his racing shoes, Dior wore a pair of high-heeled black boots and pouted at the camera while the Spaniard grinned sheepishly.
These days, the build-up to Grands Prix is all about race preparation and less about allowing fans or models in to pose before it begins.
Alonso is now a veteran of the grid with Aston Martin, winning two World Drivers’ Championships in 2005 and 2006 with Renault. He has won 32 races across 22 seasons and made 425 starts in F1.
The Spaniard has 106 podiums and last won a race in 2013 when he was still with Ferrari. Now, he is one of the older faces in the sport filling up the quota of 22 drivers representing 11 teams.
British F1 star Lando Norris enters the 2026 season as the reigning champion, pipping the iconic Max Verstappen and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to his first-ever World Championship title last year.
Lewis Hamilton will begin his 20th consecutive season in F1 this year, with the aim of returning to championship glory with Ferrari after winning six titles with Mercedes from 2013 to 2024.
The Brit won his first World Championship with McLaren in 2008, which set off a run of record-breaking form. He is tied with Michael Schumacher for F1 titles with seven and holds the record for most wins, pole positions and podium finishes.