ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2019 - Preview

With Pre-Season testing done for 2019, and with Ferrari feeling very confident moving to Australia, there's a little less than two weeks left before the start of the 2019 F1 Season's first race in Melbourne, Australia.

So, as all the drivers and teams make their way to Albert Park, let's look at a few key statistics of the now legendary circuit, and why it's such a popular race with drivers and fans.......

Albert Park, Melbourne F1 Circuit, Australia

Stats

First Grand Prix - 1996
Number of Laps - 58
Circuit Length - 5.303km
Race Distance - 307.574 km
Lap Record - 1:24.125 Michael Schumacher (2004)

When was the track built?

The deal to host Formula 1 in Melbourne was done in 1993, with the decision taken to create a circuit using a mixture of the existing roads around the city’s Albert Park – mainly Aughtie Drive and Lakeside Drive if you fancy driving it yourself – with a little detour through the Lakeside Stadium’s car park.

When was its first Grand Prix?

Just four months after Adelaide held its last Australian Grand Prix at the end of 1995, all Formula 1 team's were back in Australia for Melbourne's first Grand Prix at the start of 1996. That race is most often remembered for Martin Brundle’s infamous Jordan crash at Turn 3 after he launched himself off the back of Johnny Herbert’s Sauber.

What’s the circuit like?

As a temporary facility, Albert Park can be quite bumpy, while the circuit at the start of the weekend is often slippery, rubbering in as the sessions progress. It’s also a circuit that requires a well-sorted chassis, with several spots on the track where the drivers require a reactive front end to allow them to chuck it into a corner – the main one being the rapid Turn 11-12 chicane. Melbourne is also one of the faster tracks on the calendar, with Lewis Hamilton’s 2018 pole lap set at an average of 235km/h.

Why go?

Often found on lists of the world’s best cities, Melbourne is a blast all year round – and it only gets better when Formula 1 rolls into town. There are bars and restaurants aplenty, you’re right by the beach, while the race’s appearance at the start of Australia’s autumn means the temperatures should be peachy.

Where is the best place to watch?


If you want to get in a grandstand, opt for either the Waite stand overlooking Turn 12 or the Brabham Grandstand on the outside of Turn 2 to watch cars jostling for position through the first chicane. Alternatively, there are some nice general admission spots on the far side of the lake – go for either around Turns 9-10 or 11-12 if you fancy some F1 picnic feels.

I'm definitely looking forward to the 15th-17th of March to witness another thrilling start to yet another F1 Season.