The Albert Park circuit in Melbourne held non-championship Grand Prix races in the fifties. A revised circuit join the world championship calendar in 1996.
It took over from Adelaide as the home of the Australian Grand Prix. At the same time the race moved from being the last race of the season to the first, and has usually held the opening race of the season since then.
The track is a temporary facility which follows the roads around Albert Park Lake.
Circuit information
| Lap data | |
| Lap length | 5.303km (3.295 miles) |
| Race laps | 58 |
| Race distance | 307.574km (191.118 miles) |
| Pole position | Left-hand side of the track |
| Lap record* | 1’24.125 (226.934 kph) by Michael Schumacher, 2004 |
| Fastest lap | 1’23.529 (228.553 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2011 |
| Maximum speed | 312kph (193.868 mph) |
| DRS zone/s (race) | First and second straight |
| Distance from grid to turn one | 380m |
| Car performance | |
| Full throttle | 71% |
| Longest flat-out section | 843m |
| Downforce level | High |
| Gear changes per lap | 54 |
| Fuel use per lap | 2.5kg |
| Time penalty per lap of fuel | 0.1s |
| Strategy | |
| Quickest complete pit stop in 2012 | 21.91s by Ferrari (see full list) |
| 2013 prime tyre**: | Medium (2012: Medium) |
| 2013 option tyre**: | Super Soft (2012: Soft) |
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
**Pirelli’s compounds are softer than those used in 2012
Data sources: FIA, Williams, Mercedes
Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit – track map
