A virtual lap of Albert Park, Melbourne F1 circuit with Google Street View
21st March 2009, 17:45 by Keith Collantine 56 Comments »
The first corner at Albert Park, Melbourne
Albert Park circuit in Melbourne mainly uses public roads, and the whole track has been photographed by Google Street View, giving us a ground-level view of the circuit where the 2009 F1 season begins next week.
Here’s a corner-by-corner look at the Albert Park Circuit.
Turns three and four, where Martin Brundle crashed heavily in 1996
Turn five, a fast right-hander
Turns six and seven
Turn eight, a long right-hand corner
Turns nine and ten - the main road (in the foreground) bypasses this part of the circuit
Turns 11 and 12, the fastest corners on the track
Turn 13, a sharp and slow right-hander
Turn 14, a faster right-hander
Turn 15, the penultimate corner
Turn 16, with the pit lane entrance on the right
And back onto the start/finish line to begin another lap
You can navigate a lap of the Melbourne circuit yourself using Google Street View here: Albert Park, Melbourne on Google Street View.
More on Albert Park, Melbourne
- Australian Grand Prix 2009
- Albert Park circuit information, track map and more
- Albert Park, Melbourne – fans’ views
Thanks to Al for the tip!
Images (C) Google
Albert Park, Melbourne F1 circuit 2009 (click to enlarge)
Boston F1 Fan said on 21st March 2009, 17:52
- Do they leave the pit paddock up the whole year? What do they do with it the rest of the time?
Chris said on 27th March 2009, 6:59
no it comes down after the race, i live across the road
Millsique said on 22nd March 2010, 7:51
When I was there for New Year 2008 the Pit / Paddock building was still there. It apeared to be a permanent building which is (I believe) a sports centre the rest of the time, with football being played when I was there.
Keith Collantine said on 21st March 2009, 17:54
I don’t know but a few people in Melbourne read this blog so perhaps they can tell us?
al said on 21st March 2009, 17:58
You’re welcome!
Keirde said on 21st March 2009, 18:25
I walked round the circuit in January – it seemed really strange to see so little mention or evidence of F1. As I approached the final corner, it took me a while to realise that was actually it! The pit garages were the only permanent evidence that I could see.
Arthur954 said on 21st March 2009, 18:31
I wonder on what part of the track can you use KERS, if a driver is on his own and not passing someone ?
Really I miss a flashing light on top of the cars to let us know when KERS is activated – this would be a lot of fun
Keirde said on 21st March 2009, 18:39
Any part of the track, surely? It can be used as an overtaking aid, of a defensive aid, or just help power down a straight.
Perhaps not a flashing light on the top of the car, but an indicator would be very much appreciated indeed. Like the powerboost graphics in A1GP.
Arthur954 said on 21st March 2009, 20:58
In the Red Bull video they mentioned that drivers have to be careful with the extra power boost of KERS so they dont spin out … so then it seems that it can only be used on the straits, and maybe even not in low gears to avoid wheelspin.
Really I cannot see much lengh of straits in this track -
will be interesting … cheers !
David said on 21st March 2009, 18:54
I was there four years ago in May.
The paddock is a permanent structure, and when I was there there was a gym inside, and an indoor basket court.
One thing I didn’t uderstand is why some of the corners has narrow way out, while during the no racing period there are huge meadows outside there.
Some other interesting things: 3 and 4 curves are obtained in the swimming pool parking lot, while the great 11-12 fast chicane is obtained through curbs, because the street has a slightly different design.
Anyway I found really amazing how the normal streets fit to create a f1 track. Some of the curves seem really designed for racing, for example first one, not for normal traffic.
Nayanesh said on 22nd March 2009, 5:11
That looks preety serene!
KingHamilton said on 21st March 2009, 18:56
blimey albert park looks different. I think I prefer how it looks at the grand prix though,
Nik said on 21st March 2009, 19:22
Before Melbourne won the hosting rights to the grand prix from Adelaide, there was controversy because Albert Park was obviously being designed and built with a bid for hosting the F1 race in mind. Eg. the roads have nice corners and approval was sought for a building that was 60 meters long and only 10 meters wide (later it turned out that it was a pit building).
Local residents protested for over a year trying to prevent the GP from being hosted in the city (the track is right in the middle of Melbourne) but the government won out in the end.
Nobody was surprised when time came for the first GP to be hosted, Albert Park was easily adapted into a pretty good race track!
The gov also tried to pass off the pit building as a ‘multi-purpose’ venue, but not much else happens there outside of the GP.
ccolanto said on 21st March 2009, 19:36
Cool, Wonder if there’s something like this for Monaco.
I’ve been around the circuit in Montreal during the summer in my car, and the kerbs are very much there year round. Pretty much everything except the hairpin.
Great find Keith.
TommyB said on 21st March 2009, 20:08
WOW! I can’t believe it looks like this. Nice post
Tim said on 21st March 2009, 20:29
My father walked round Albert Park on holiday last year and he said it was difficult to tell a current Grand Prix was held there, as it looks so different from the state it’s in during the race weekend. Unlike Monaco, which is instantly recognisable even without everything that changes for the race.
Amazingly, parts of the track at Crystal Palace are still quite clearly identifiable as old bits of race track – despite over 35 years having passed since the last race there…
Jenn said on 21st March 2009, 21:07
When I was visiting my husband (fiancee at the time) we walked around. There were still stickers down in the pit for a couple of the racers and of course I found myself a few pieces of red-painted rock. Now we just need to go back and see an actual race! Also…how do they get the stupid swans to not run out into the race? They seemed to be everywhere.
jp5 said on 21st March 2009, 22:13
Getting very excited for next week! I just did a lap of the circuit the other day to have a little looky at progress with building the grandstands etc. I was amazed that the general public could still drive around the track..fun even at 40kph. I’ll be watching the race from the outside of turn one, Albert Park provides such excellent opportunities for viewing the action, some grandstands are pretty close to the track.
A great side benefit of have a street circuit is access for the public compared to a dedicated track, so many options, I’m lucky enough to be able to walk or tram ride in 5 minutes from home. See you there.
Keith Collantine said on 22nd March 2009, 9:54
Cool! Can you send us some pictures from the weekend?
http://drop.io/formula1fanatic
jp5 said on 22nd March 2009, 21:29
Be happy to Keith
Adam Milleneuve said on 21st March 2009, 22:39
I’ve visited the circuit too, and had my picture taken on the pitlane. It’s very odd how difficult it is to see the race circuit!
Nice idea using Streetview Keith, could maybe do with some overlays to view the track more easily. For a less serious look at the circuit, check out Badger’s Melbourne track map!