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We are at that time of the year again when the F1 teams get together for the first time to pit their wits against each other. This season the circus begins in Melbourne, where apart from 2006 and last season it has begun every year since 1996. Here, I look at the different venues to have hosted the F1 season opener.
Melbourne, Australia
Season Openers: 1996 – 2005, 2007 – 2009, 2011
Circuit Name: Albert Park Circuit
Laps: 58
Lap Record: Michael Schumacher (GER) Ferrari – 1min 24.125 (2004)
Where is the circuit?
The Albert Park circuit is situated, funnily enough, in Albert Park in the heart of Melbourne. It is officially known as the Melbourne Grand Prix circuit, but is more commonly known after the park it is situated in. The park is situated just a few miles outside downtown Melbourne, making getting to the race easy for everyone, with cars, buses and even trams being used as transport for the race.
What about the track stats?
The circuit length is 3.3 miles (5.303km), and runs in a clockwise direction. It is 16 turns in total, with 10 right handers and 6 left hand corners, and a top speed going into Turn 1 of around 185mph. Lap times last year were around the 1min 27secs mark, but with higher tyre degradation and the moveable rear wing this year expect them to fluctuate throughout the race.
What type of circuit is it?
Although it appears to be permanent, Albert Park is in fact a street circuit, with the tarmac serving as public roads for the other 51 weeks of the year. It is a medium-speed circuit, and has a mixture of low, medium and high speed corners. It tends to be a circuit that all the drivers enjoy driving.
Continue reading "Australia Track Guide - By Paul_Murtagh" »
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