The Australian Grand Prix is oldest surviving motor racing competition held annually in Australia, having been held 79 times since it was first run at Phillip Island in 1928.
Since 1985, the race has been a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship and is currently held at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit at Albert Park in Melbourne. Prior to its inclusion in the World Championship, it was held at a multitude of venues in every state of Australia.
After it became a part of the Formula 1 World Championship in 1985, it was held at the Adelaide Street Circuit in (South Australia) from that year to 1995, before moving to Melbourne in 1996 and the latter circuit is currently under contract to host Formula 1 until 2023.
Australian Grand Prix, First round of the 2016 Formula 1 season
Circuit Name: Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit – Street Cicuit
Race Laps: 58
Circuit Length: 5.303 km (3.295 mi)
Race Length: 307.574 km (191.071 mi)
Number of corners: 16 (10 Right, 6 Left)
DRS Zone: Two Zones (Zone 1 Start/Finish Line Between Turn 16 and 1, zone 2 Between turn 2 and 3)
Circuit Direction: Clockwise
Pole Position 2015: Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:26.327.
Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit – Street Cicuit
Pirelli used compounds
Pirelli will bring the following three compounds to the opening round of the 2016 Formula One season in Australia, to be held (17-20 March) on The Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit around Albert Park Lake
P Zero White medium
P Zero Yellow soft
P Zero Red super soft
The tires that Pirelli has said must be used at some point in the race:
One set of P Zero White medium.
One set of P Zero Yellow soft.
Each driver must have both these sets available for the race, and must use at least one of them.
The tires assigned for Q3 in qualifying:
One set of P Zero Red super soft.
Following the regulations, each driver must save for Q3 one set of the softest of the three nominated compounds. This set will be given back to Pirelli after Q3 for those who qualify in the top 8, but the remaining drivers will keep it for the race – as is the case currently.
The teams are free to choose the remaining sets; making up 13 sets in total for the weekend.
The new 2016 tire regulations mean that tire nomination for long-haul events have to be made 14 weeks in advance, whereas for European races the deadline is eight weeks in advance.
HOW IT WAS A YEAR AGO:
Winner: Hamilton (one stop: started on soft, changed to medium on lap 25).
Best-placed alternative strategy: Hulkenberg (two stops: started on soft, changed to medium on lap 21, changed to soft on lap 44). Finished seventh from 14th on the grid.
Most drivers stopped just once, with strategies affected by an early safety car.
PAUL HEMBERY, PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR:
“With far reaching changes to tyre regulations compared to 2015, we expect strategy options to have extended considerably, with more possibilities open not only to each team but also every individual driver. In fact, the tactical decisions for Albert Park already began last year, as each team nominated their tyres: only recently, like a poker game, did everyone have to finally show their hand. By Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, we’ll see who made the right choices.”
Drivers / Teams compound choices
|
Team |
Car # |
Driver |
Medium |
Soft |
Super Soft |
|
Mercedes AMG |
44 |
Lewis Hamilton |
1 |
6 |
6 |
|
6 |
Nico Rosberg |
2 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
Scuderia Ferrari |
5 |
Sebastian Vettel |
2 |
5 |
6 |
|
7 |
Kimi Raikkonen |
2 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
Williams-Mercedes |
19 |
Felipe Massa |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
77 |
Valtteri Bottas |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
|
Red Bull Racing |
3 |
Daniel Ricciardo |
2 |
4 |
7 |
|
26 |
Daniil Kvyat |
2 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
Force India-Mercedes |
11 |
Sergio Perez |
2 |
5 |
6 |
|
27 |
Nico Hulkenberg |
2 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
Renault |
20 |
Kevin Magnussen |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
30 |
Jolyon Palmer |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
|
Toro Rosso-Ferrari |
33 |
Max Verstappen |
2 |
4 |
7 |
|
55 |
Carlos Sainz Jr. |
2 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
Sauber-Ferrari |
9 |
Marcus Ericsson |
1 |
6 |
6 |
|
12 |
Felipe Nasr |
2 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
McLaren-Honda |
14 |
Fernando Alonso |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
22 |
Jenson Button |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
|
Manor-Mercedes |
88 |
Rio Haryanto |
4 |
4 |
5 |
|
94 |
Pascal Wehrlein |
4 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
Haas-Ferrari |
8 |
Romain Grosjean |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
21 |
Esteban Gutierrez |
2 |
4 |
7 |
Australian Grand Prix Winners (By year)
(Held under the FIA Formula One world Championship)
|
Year |
Driver |
Constructor |
Circuit |
|
|
2015 |
|
Mercedes |
Albert Park |
|
|
2014 |
|
Mercedes |
||
|
2013 |
|
Lotus-Renault |
||
|
2012 |
|
McLaren-Mercedes |
||
|
2011 |
|
Red Bull-Renault |
||
|
2010 |
|
McLaren-Mercedes |
||
|
2009 |
|
Brawn-Mercedes |
||
|
2008 |
|
McLaren-Mercedes |
||
|
2007 |
|
Ferrari |
||
|
2006 |
|
Renault |
||
|
2005 |
|
Renault |
||
|
2004 |
|
Ferrari |
||
|
2003 |
|
McLaren-Mercedes |
||
|
2002 |
|
Ferrari |
||
|
2001 |
|
Ferrari |
||
|
2000 |
|
Ferrari |
||
|
1999 |
|
Ferrari |
||
|
1998 |
|
McLaren-Mercedes |
||
|
1997 |
|
McLaren-Mercedes |
||
|
1996 |
|
Williams-Renault |
||
|
1995 |
|
Williams-Renault |
Adelaide |
|
|
1994 |
|
Williams-Renault |
||
|
1993 |
|
McLaren-Ford |
||
|
1992 |
|
McLaren-Honda |
||
|
1991 |
|
McLaren-Honda |
||
|
1990 |
|
Benetton-Ford |
||
|
1989 |
|
Williams-Renault |
||
|
1988 |
|
McLaren-Honda |
||
|
1987 |
|
Ferrari |
||
|
1986 |
|
McLaren-TAG |
||
|
1985 |
|
Williams-Honda |
Multiple Winners (Drivers)
|
Wins |
Constructor |
Years Won |
|
|
11 |
|
1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2012 |
|
|
7 |
|
1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007 |
|
|
5 |
|
1985, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996 |
|
|
2 |
|
2005, 2006 |
|
|
|
2014, 2015 |
Multiple Winners (Drivers)
|
Number of wins |
Driver |
Years Won |
|
4 |
Michael Schumacher |
2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 |
|
3 |
Jenson Button |
2009, 2010, 2012 |
|
2 |
Alain Prost |
1986, 1988 |
|
Gerhard Berger |
1987, 1992 |
|
|
Ayrton Senna |
1991, 1993 |
|
|
Damon Hill |
1995, 1996 |
|
|
David Coulthard |
1997, 2003 |
|
|
Kimi Räikkönen |
2007, 2013 |
|
|
Lewis Hamilton |
2008, 2015 |
Multiple Winners (Constructors)
|
Wins |
Constructor |
Years Won |
|
|
11 |
|
1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2012 |
|
|
7 |
|
1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007 |
|
|
5 |
|
1985, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996 |
|
|
2 |
|
2005, 2006 |
|
|
|
2014, 2015 |
Numbers and Facts
Most wins (driver) 4 Michael Schumacher (2000 – 2001 – 2002 – 2004)
Most wins (constructor) 11 McLaren (1986 – 1988 – 1991 – 1992 – 1993 – 1997 – 1998 – 2003 – 2008 – 2010 – 2012)
Wins from pole position 14 Most recent 2015 (Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes)
Lowest grid for past winner 11 David Coulthard 2003
Most recent 1-2 finish 2015 Most recent 2015 (Lewis Hamilton – Nico Rosberg for Mercedes)
Most emphatic win (here) 38.020 1996 between Damon Hill – Jacques Villeneuve
Closest winning margin 0.702 1997 between Mika Hakkinen – David Coulthard
Rain-affected races 3 1989 – 1991 – 2010
Safety Car-affected races 11 1999 – 2000 – 2001 – 2002 – 2003 – 2006 – 2008 – 2009 – 2010 – 2014 – 2015
Red Flag (and result declared) races 1 1991 race stopped and result declared after 14 laps
Fastest race 1991 14 laps @ 24’34.899
Slowest race (here) 2001 58 laps @1:38’26.533
Most pole positions (driver) 6 Ayrton Senna (1985 – 1988 – 1989 – 1990 – 1991 – 1993)
Most pole positions (constructor) 10 McLaren (1988 – 1989 – 1991 – 1993 – 1998 – 1999 – 2000 – 2008 – 2012)
What Happened last race here?
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was the defending race winner in 2015, but his team-mate Lewis Hamilton started the race from pole and led home Rosberg in a Mercedes 1–2 finish, with Ferrari‘s Sebastian Vettel completing the podium in his first start with the team.
2015 Race Classification
|
Pos. |
Driver |
Constructor |
Laps |
Time/Retired |
Grid |
|
1 |
Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes |
58 |
1:31:54.067 |
1 |
|
2 |
Nico Rosberg |
Mercedes |
58 |
+1.36 |
2 |
|
3 |
Sebastian Vettel |
Ferrari |
58 |
+34.523 |
4 |
|
4 |
Felipe Massa |
Williams-Mercedes |
58 |
+38.196 |
3 |
|
5 |
Felipe Nasr |
Sauber-Ferrari |
58 |
+1:35.149 |
10 |
|
6 |
Daniel Ricciardo |
Red Bull Racing-Renault |
57 |
+1 Lap |
6 |
|
7 |
Nico Hülkenberg |
Force India-Mercedes |
57 |
+1 Lap |
13 |
|
8 |
Marcus Ericsson |
Sauber-Ferrari |
57 |
+1 Lap |
15 |
|
9 |
Carlos Sainz Jr. |
Toro Rosso-Renault |
57 |
+1 Lap |
7 |
|
10 |
Sergio Pérez |
Force India-Mercedes |
57 |
+1 Lap |
14 |
|
11 |
Jenson Button |
McLaren-Honda |
56 |
+2 Laps |
16 |
|
Ret |
Kimi Räikkönen |
Ferrari |
40 |
Wheel |
5 |
|
Ret |
Max Verstappen |
Toro Rosso-Renault |
32 |
Engine |
11 |
|
Ret |
Romain Grosjean |
Lotus-Mercedes |
0 |
Power loss |
8 |
|
Ret |
Pastor Maldonado |
Lotus-Mercedes |
0 |
Collision |
9 |
|
DNS |
Daniil Kvyat |
Red Bull Racing-Renault |
0 |
Gearbox |
– |
|
DNS |
Kevin Magnussen |
McLaren-Honda |
0 |
Engine |
– |
|
DNS |
Valtteri Bottas |
Williams-Mercedes |
0 |
Injury |
– |
Did you know?
DRIVERS
Lewis Hamilton will be looking for his 44th F1 career win aboard of course car ♯44.
✪ Hamilton is aiming to score his 50th F1 career pole in Australia. Only Ayrton Senna (6) to date has taken more AGP poles than Hamilton (4)
✪ Hamilton is now just 19 pole positions from equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 68 F1 GP pole positions. Since he has
been at Mercedes he has taken pole 23 times already. That is over 40% of all races he’s started for the team! (23/ 56 = 41%)
✪ Hamilton has won (43) 25.7% of all GP he’s started and is in the top 10 drivers races to win ratio of all-time. This is how he compares:-
1. Fangio 47.0%, 2. Ascari 40.6%, 3. Clark 34.7%, 4. M.Schumacher 29.7%, 5. Ja.Stewart 27.2% 6. Vettel 26.6%, 7.Hamilton 25.7%
8. Prost 25.6%, 9. Senna 25.5%, 10. Moss 24.2%
✪ Hamilton led just over half of all race laps in 2015 (51% [51.09%] or 587 of 1149 laps)
✪ In 2015 Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were the only drivers to have made it through to Q3 for all GP
✪ Rosberg will be chasing a 7th pole position in a row. His run of 6 in a row since and including Japan 2015 represents his best run to date.
✪ A 7th pole in a row will equal the best runs in F1 of Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost. The most-ever is 8 in a row by Ayrton
Senna (ESP 88 – USA 89)
✪ Rosberg has won the past 3 GP. It represents his best run since he won the last 4 races of his DEU F.BMW title winning season in 2002
✪ A 4th win in a row for Rosberg equals the best runs of current drivers Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, and Sebastian Vettel and also that of
past aces, Jochen Rindt, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Damon Hill (Best: VET = 9, Ascari + MSC = 7, J.Brabham, Clark, Mansell + HAM = 5)
✪ In fact EVERY driver who has previously won 4 GP in a row has also won the F1 World title at some point in their career
✪ Sebastian Vettel has scored 79 F1 podiums to date. An 80th will = Ayrton Senna
✪ Only Michael Schumacher with 4 wins has won more Australian GP than Jenson Button (3)
CONSTRUCTORS
✪ Mercedes aiming for their 7th pole in a role to equal their second-best run in F1 date (Australia 2014 to Canada 2014 inclusive). The marques’
best-ever run of pole positions in F1 is 23 (Great Britain 2014 to Italy 2015 inclusive), beaten only by Williams’s run of 24 poles in 1992 – 93
✪ Mercedes won its 45th F1 World Championship race victory in Abu Dhabi. To date Mercedes has won just over one-third of all the F1
GP it has competed in (45 wins/ 127 races = 35.43%.
✪ Mercedes is now just 5 wins behind Red Bull’s F1 career total of 50
✪ A win on Sunday would be Mercedes’s 7th win in a row and just 1 win in a row less than their best-ever run to date, 8 (Italy 2014 to Australia
2015 inclusive)
✪ Mercedes has now finished in points for the last 58 GP in a row, which ranks the 3rd-best run of all-time. The record is 81 by Ferrari
✪ Mercedes was the only team to have finished in the points at all 2015 GP
✪ Ferrari is now just 4 podiums short of their 700th F1 GP race podium (currently 696 – most recent, Kimi Raikkonen, 3rd in Abu Dhabi 2015)
✪ McLaren will celebrate 50 years of F1 in Monaco later this season
✪ Australia will be Pirelli’s 300th F1 World Championship-qualifying GP
AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
✪ Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso with a podium on Sunday can all equal Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 6
Australian GP podiums
✪ In the past 5 years, Hamilton and Vettel are the only drivers to have won the Australian GP and the F1 World title in the same season
✪ 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the first Australian F1 World Championship-qualifying Grand Prix to be held in Melbourne’s Albert Park. (Championship status has been emphasized because a non-championship AGP was held in the park prior to 1996, in 1953)
Drivers penalty points:
|
Driver |
Penalty points |
|
Max Verstappen |
8 |
|
Nico Hulkenberg |
4 |
|
Marcus Erricson |
4 |
|
Romain Grosjean |
4 |
|
Sebastian Vettel |
3 |
|
Kimi Raikkonen |
3 |
|
Lewis Hamilton |
2 |
|
Valtteri Bottas |
2 |
|
Daniil Kvyat |
2 |
|
Sergio Perez |
2 |
|
Fernando Alonso |
2 |
|
Jenson Button |
2 |
