2010 Australian Grand Prix, Rd 2: 28 March 2010
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2010 DATA:
Length:
5.303 km |
No of Laps:
58 (307.574 Km) |
2009 Pole Position:
Jenson Button - 1:26.202 min (Brawn GP) |
Lap Record:
M. Schumacher - 1:24.125 min (Ferrari) |
2009 Fastest Lap:
N. Rosberg - 1:27.706 min (Williams) |
2009 Top Eight:
1. J. Button (Brawn GP)
2. R. Barrichello (Brawn GP)
3. L. Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
4. T. Glock (Toyota)
5. F. Alonso (Renault)
6. N. Rosberg (Williams)
7. S. Buemi (Toro Rosso)
8. S. Bourdais (Toro Rosso) |
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 |
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Gearshifts per lap
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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 growing popularity of racing helped contribute towards the growing desire for a formula one race in Melbourne. As a result of intensified pressure from the motor sport fraternity in the area, the then premier of the State of Victoria, Jeff Kennett made the improvement of Melbourne’s international profile his priority in 1992. Top of his priority 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.
Technical Review - Albert Park:
The biggest factor for the 2010 Australian GP will be the performance of the new cars with all its regulation changes. Being a stop-start circuit, the brakes have traditionally been the focus technically particularly under heavy loads. This year, the heavier cars courtesy of the refuelling ban, longer chassis and narrower tyres will certainly put the cars through a massive test. Also important will be getting good traction out of the corners particularly with the low level of grip especially at the start of the weekend.
PAST WINNERS:
| Year |
Driver |
Year |
Driver |
| 2008 |
L. Hamilton (McLaren) |
1999 |
E. Irvine (Ferrari) |
| 2007 |
K. Raikkonen (Ferrari) |
1998 |
M. Hakkinen (McLaren) |
| 2006 |
F. Alonso (Renault) |
1997 |
D. Coulthard (McLaren) |
| 2005 |
G. Fisichella (Renault) |
1996 |
D. Hill (Williams) |
| 2004 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1995 |
D. Hill (Williams) (ADE) |
| 2003 |
D. Coulthard (McLaren) |
1994 |
N. Mansell (Williams) (ADE) |
| 2002 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1993 |
A. Senna (McLaren) (ADE) |
| 2001 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1992 |
G. Berger (McLaren) (ADE) |
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2000
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M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
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