As the drivers return to the Albert Park track for the third race of the Formula 1 season, here’s a quick guide with essential information about this year’s Australian Grand Prix.
Who is the defending champion?
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won last year’s Australian Grand Prix achieving the rare feat of a “grand slam” – winning pole position, setting the race’s fastest lap and claiming the overall victory.
“I think we were all surprised by our pace,” he said after the race.
“We managed the tyres extremely well … on the hard tyres, we also seemed to have the upper hand. It was a very good surprise.”
But Leclerc’s chances of a repeat victory look slim, as so far this season it’s been the Red Bull drivers – Sergio Perex and Max Verstappen – dominating.
Charles Leclerc celebrates his victory in Melbourne.Credit:Getty Images
The two F1 stars have the advantage of sitting behind the wheel of the Red Bull RB19 car, described by Lewis Hamilton as the fastest car he’s ever seen.
“That’s the fastest car I think I’ve seen, especially compared to the rest. I don’t know how or why, but he came past me with serious speed,” he said.
“I didn’t even bother to block because there was a massive speed difference.”
Who’s Oscar Piastri?
He is the only Australian hope on this year’s grid. The 21-year-old from Melbourne has taken all before him in his rise through the ranks to Formula 1.
A Haileybury College Brighton alumnus and product of the Oakleigh Go Kart club, Piastri ventured overseas after his year nine studies to pursue his dream. He went onto win Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles in successive years – 2020 and 2021 – before serving a reserve driver last season for Alpine.
F1 rookie Oscar Piastri.Credit:Getty Images
In controversial circumstances, he rejected the opportunity to sign as one of Alpine’s two drivers, instead signing with McLaren to take the seat vacated by fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo.
Although Piastri has shown glimpses of his talent in the opening two rounds of this season, McLaren look a long way off the pace when compared to the leading Red Bull team.
What’s different about this year?
This year’s grand prix will feature four Drag Reduction System (DRS) zones for the first time in the race. They are designed with the aim of increasing the number of overtakes during the race and the competitiveness, particularly in midfield.
The four DRS zones were used during practice last year, but one was scrapped at the 11th hour following the drivers’ briefing because of safety concerns.
But following modifications to the circuit, the fourth zone has been reinstated, amove that should add even more theatre to the race.
“The changes they’ve made have been positive,” Williams driver Alex Albon said.
“Even the flow of the track, I think, is in a good place. It’s a really fun track to drive. It’s a street track by definition, but it’s well done. There’s run off, it’s quick, but it’s also quite forgiving. I think it’s pretty special for everyone who comes here.
“DRS helps, but it’s still a track where you need to make the other driver in front make a mistake, which isn’t actually that hard around here because it is a tricky circuit.”
What’s the forecast?
The weather bureau is forecasting a high chance of showers on both Thursday and Friday with a maximum temperature of 19 degrees.
For qualifying racing on Saturday, there’s a chance of light rain.
No rain is expected for race day on Sunday, but clouds are expected.
Albon is hoping a little wet weather will bring red-hot favourites Red Bull back to the pack.
“Sometimes the top teams in the wet go even quicker, but in the midfield, it’s a little bit more random, and that brings it towards us [at Williams],” he said.
“Historically, we’ve been a team that likes to take risks, gamble, and I don’t see why that wouldn’t be the case if it’s wet this weekend. So let’s see.
“It’s hard as well on a street track, because of the way the puddling and rivers across the track work, the paint around the circuit can be really slippery. It’s just a hard race to be on the limit.”
Can I still get tickets?
Friday’s Park Pass is still for sale at $70, while for $105 you can get a pass that includes a ticket into the Schumacher grandstand, which overlooks turn 13, the corner where Valtteri Bottas snuck past Pierre Gasly in 2022.
Saturday and Sunday is effectively sold out.
The only tickets still advertised at grandprix.com.au are for the Red Bull Energy Station, priced at $3095 on Saturday and $3925 on Sunday, which includes some of the best views of pit street and the main exit, as well as access to Red Bull Racing team appearances and entertainment.
More than 419,000 people attended Thursday to Sunday last year, and grand prix organisers are hoping for a crowd exceeding 450,000 over the four days this year.
How do I get there?
The easiest way to get to Albert Park is via tram, given there is no public parking available at the grand prix.
Express trams are running from Southern Cross and Flinders Street Station, depending on what gate you need to access. Trams to gate one, which will give you access to most of the action, will depart regularly from Southern Cross all weekend.
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