A joint initiative between Ferrari and the organisers of the Australian Grand Prix will see the Italian team take to the streets of Melbourne, two weeks before the race is held.

The Ferrari festival, which was announced on Tuesday, is set to take place on March 3 and will mark the beginning of the city’s countdown to the Grand Prix.

The highlight of the event, part of Ferrari’s 60th anniversary celebrations, will be a demonstration run by one of the Italian team’s Formula One cars down Lygon Street in the heart of the city. There will also be Grand Prix related exhibitions and a unique display of more than 60 Ferrari road cars

"Everyone who has ever heard a Formula One car will be familiar with the adrenalin rush it induces," said Tim Bamford, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. “For those that have not witnessed the majesty of these machines, I invite you to come to Lygon Street to get an up close and personal taste of Formula One - the world’s most exhilarating sport. To experience the excitement of a Ferrari Formula One car, surrounded by its passionate, vocal supporters, will make this an event not to be missed."

The day’s festivities will run from 10am to 8pm and will also include Formula One simulators, face-painting for children, live bands, grid girls, roving entertainment and ticket giveaways. The 2007 Australian Grand Prix will take place a fortnight later from March 15-18.

Formula1.com