Dateline: 2009 Australian Grand Prix: 27 - 29 March 2009
|
|
2008 DATA:
Length:
5.303 km |
No of Laps:
58 (307.574 Km) |
2008 Pole Position:
L. Hamilton - 1:26.714 min (McLaren Mercedes) |
Lap Record:
M. Schumacher - 1:24.125 min (Ferrari) |
2008 Fastest Lap:
H. Kovalainen - 1:27.418 min (Ferrari) |
2008 Top Eight:
1. L. Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
2. N. Heidfeld (BMW Sauber F1 Team)
3. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
4. F. Alonso (Renault)
5. H. Kovalainen (McLaren Mercedes)
6. K. Nakajima (Williams-Toyota)
7. S. Bourdais (Toro Rosso)
8. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari) |
Australian GP Facts
| Full Throttle Ratio |
65% |
| Top Speed race |
303 km/h |
| Longest flat-out section |
10 secs / 735m |
| Right-/left-hand turns |
10/6 |
| Tyre wear |
medium/low |
| Brake wear |
high |
| Downforce level |
high |
|
Gearshifts per lap
|
60 |
Circuit Profile
Formula One’s original home in Australia was in Adelaide in 1985. When ex-racer-turned-entrepreneur Bob Jane wanted a race in Melbourne, he built a huge “thunderdome” and brought NASCAR action to Australia with the invention of the AUSCAR series.
The desire for a formula one race in Melbourne intensified as pressure began to mount from the motor sport fraternity in the area. In 1992, the then premier of the State of Victoria, Jeff Kennett made the improvement of Melbourne’s international profile his priority. Top of the list was the Australian Grand Prix.
In 1993, an agreement with Formula One was finally reached. This gave Kennett plenty of time to prepare as Adelaide’s contract would only expire in 1995. In that time, a track was created in Melbourne’s Albert Park, utilising the closed-off public roads in and around the park. In 1996, the city was host to the first round of the World Championship. It has since become the home of the Formula One’s season opener. The only exception being in 2006, when Australia was host to the third round due to the Commonwealth Games that were also being held in Australia.
Located in central Melbourne, the Australian round has grown popular with drivers and fans alike especially with the city’s party atmosphere.
Access to the track is fast and easy with frequent free trams operating from a variety of pick-up points in addition to a regular bus service from the Spencer Street Station and Olympic Park. There are no parking facilities at the circuit so the best option is to park and ride. Tickets for the trains, trams and buses have to be pre-purchased.
For overseas visitors, the Tullamarine Airport serves the city and is about 21 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. There is a regular bus shuttle to and from the airport.
The BMW Sauber F1 Team on Albert Park:
Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
“We’re very pleased that the first GP of the year will once again be Australia. This time the season is starting two weeks later and it may well be slightly cooler in Melbourne as a result. There is always a very special atmosphere in the city and the sports-mad Australians have really developed a taste for F1. Last year Nick took second place for us in the opening race of the year and we’re hoping to get off to a good start once again in Albert Park this time around.”
Willy Rampf, Head of Engineering:
“There’s always a buzz around the place leading up to the first race of the season, but this time the anticipation is even greater than usual. Of course, we all want to find out how our radically different new cars shape up alongside our rivals’. The switch to slick tyres, in particular, represents a great unknown. Melbourne is a stop-start kind of circuit which places the brakes under heavy loads and at the same time demands good traction. The levels of grip here are very low, especially at the start of the weekend..”
Robert Kubica:
“The first race of the year was very frustrating for me in 2008. Everything was going well until Kazuki Nakajima drove into the back of me at the end of the third Safety Car phase and I had to retire. Having said that, I can’t wait for the start of the new season in Melbourne. All the speculation comes to an end in Australia. The whole team has been working unbelievably hard all winter. I like the Melbourne circuit. If it was up to me, we would only race on street circuits. The fans and the beautiful city backdrop create a wonderful atmosphere, and all of this gives the first race of the season a very special charm.”
PAST WINNERS:
| Year |
Driver |
Year |
Driver |
| 2007 |
K. Raikkonen (Ferrari) |
1999 |
E. Irvine (Ferrari) |
| 2006 |
F. Alonso (Renault) |
1998 |
M. Hakkinen (McLaren) |
| 2005 |
G. Fisichella (Renault) |
1997 |
D. Coulthard (McLaren) |
| 2004 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1996 |
D. Hill (Williams) |
| 2003 |
D. Coulthard (McLaren) |
1995 |
D. Hill (Williams) (ADE) |
| 2002 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1994 |
N. Mansell (Williams) (ADE) |
| 2001 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1993 |
A. Senna (McLaren) (ADE) |
|
2000
|
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1992 |
G. Berger (McLaren) (ADE) |