Australia
Location: Melbourne, Albert Park
Lap distance: 5.3 km
Number of laps: 58
Racing direction: Clockwise
The Australian GP has been held in Albert Park, Melbourne since 1996 after its move from Adelaide. The
track is essentially a street circuit based around a lake in the picturesque Albert Park. Despite some initial
opposition to using a park for an F1 race, this has become a popular track for both drivers and
fans and now takes its place as the regular opening event of the season. Being a street circuit,
it tends to be relatively bumpy and a high down force circuit, but still manages to produce some exciting races.
Sebastian Vettel won the 2011 race from pole position from Lewis Hamilton with Vitaly Petrov bringing the Renault home in thrid position. The 2 Hispania cars did not make the grid as they were outside of the 107% rule and the 2 Sauber cars were disqualified after the race for a technical infringement.
The 2010 race was again won by Jenson Button in an action packed race. Sebastian Vettel had brake problems and Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber had a coming together late in the race. Ferrari were on the pace, but not competing for the win.
The 2009 race was won by Jenson Button in the first race for Brawn GP, with his team mate taking second place after Vettel and Kubica collided with 3 laps to go. Hamilton was excluded from third place after after a controvserial incident with Truli under the resulting safety car conclusion to the race.
Previous Race winners
Year Driver Team
2011 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull
2010Jenson ButtonMcLaren
2009 Jenson Button Brawn
2008 Lewis Hamilton McLaren
2007 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari
2006 Fernando Alonso Renault
2005 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault
2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2003 David Coultard McLaren
2002 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2001 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2000 Michael Schumacher Ferrari