2009 Formula One ING Australian Grand Prix
About Australia
The 5.303km Albert Park track is one of the few street circuits on the calendar and therefore used by everyday road traffic when Formula One isn’t in town. As a result, drivers are faced with minimal grip levels during the race weekend’s opening sessions, combined with the recent ban on traction control, the circuit’s limited run-off areas may claim some unprecedented victims over the weekend before grip levels improve as the cars lay rubber.
On track, Albert Park blends a testing mix of short straights (on which the drivers will reach speeds in excess of 300km/h and spend 70% of the lap at full throttle), interspersed with 16 slow and medium speed corners, which will demand nearly 3,500 gear changes during the race.
Torque to power the cars out of the corners, a balanced set-up, a robust gearbox and stability under braking are therefore all essential components to achieve a successful lap during qualifying and a strong result at the Australian Grand Prix.
News From Australia
Australian GP Review
The AT&T Williams team had a positive start to the 2009 season, demonstrating both pace and reliability from the start of the first practice session... Read more »
30 March 09
Australian GP Race
The AT&T Williams team didn't manage to fulfil its potential in a typically incident-packed opening race in Melbourne today. Read more »
29 March 09
Australian GP Qualifying
Nico claims 5th spot on the grid for the opening race of the 2009 Formula One season in Melbourne Read more »
28 March 09
Australian GP Practice
Nico Rosberg tops the timesheets in both opening practice sessions for this weekend's first round of the 2009 championship, the Australian Grand Prix. Read more »
27 March 09
Images From Australia
