Championship points will be on the line for the first time when the Supercars race at next year’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Supercars have long raced as an exhibition at the Albert Park event in March, but the race’s status has been upgraded to a championship round.

A new deal will also see Supercars featuring at the Australian Grand Prix for the next six years.

Supercars boss James Warburton was delighted with the developments.

“This fantastic opportunity to host championship races at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit will further showcase Supercars on the world-stage,” Warburton said on Tuesday.

A format for the Supercars race is yet to be decided.