Formula One Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne
The ING Australian Grand Prix is a Formula One race that is part of the annual Formula One championship season. It is held at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit at Albert Park in Melbourne. The event was held annually since 1928 at various... [more]
The ING Australian Grand Prix is a Formula One race that is part of the annual Formula One championship season. It is held at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit at Albert Park in Melbourne. The event was held annually since 1928 at various venues in Australia, before it became part of the Formula One championship in 1985. The race was held at the Adelaide Street Circuit in Adelaide from 1985 to 1995, before moving to Melbourne in 1996.
The Australian Grand Prix is the first round of the Championship, having been the first race of each year, excluding 2006, since the event moved to Melbourne. During its years in Adelaide, the Australian Grand Prix was the final round of the Championship, replacing the Portuguese Grand Prix in that respect. As the final round of the season, the Grand Prix hosted a handful of memorable Grand Prix, most notably the 1986 and 1994 event which saw those respective titles decided.
In terms of Grand Prix victories, Michael Schumacher and McLaren are the most successful driver and team respectively. After Michael Schumacher's retirement, David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello and Giancarlo Fisichella will be the only drivers to have started every single Melbourne race.
In November 2006 ING became the naming rights sponsor of the Australian Grand Prix in a three-year deal. -- source www.wikipedia.org
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes drives during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on March 29, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lewis Hamilton (Getty Images)more pics »
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When Formula One came to Australia in 1985 it set up home in Adelaide. However, ex-racer-turned-entrepreneur Bob Jane wanted a race in Melbourne. He created a huge "thunderdome" and invented the AUSCAR series, bringing NASCAR action to Australia.
The desire to have a race in Melbourne did not wane. Despite the popular end of season slot for the Adelaide race, pressure was growing from the Melbourne motor sport community, and in 1992 Jeff Kennett was elected the new premier of the State of Victoria. He immediately set about improving Melbourne's profile. First on his list was the Australian Grand Prix.
An agreement was reached with Formula One in 1993, but the contract with Adelaide did not expire until 1995, so Kennett had plenty of time to prepare. A track was developed in Melbourne's beautiful Albert Park, part of it using closed-off public roads, and in 1996 the city held the first round of the World Championship. Since then, the venue has become the home of Formula One's season opener. The race is very popular with drivers and fans alike, and the party atmosphere of Melbourne keeps them coming back year after year.
The circuit is in central Melbourne. Frequent free trams operate from various pick-up points, the trip takes no more than a few minutes. There is a regular bus service to the circuit from Spencer Street Station and Olympic Park.
There is no parking near the circuit. If you're based out of town and driving, the organisers advise you to park-and-ride. Train, tram and bus tickets into Melbourne must be pre-purchased.
Melbourne is served by Tullamarine Airport, which lies approximately 21 km north-west of the city. There is a regular shuttle bus service to and from the airport.
Sebastien Bourdais of France and Scuderia Toro Rosso drives during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on March 29, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sebastien Bourdais (Getty Images)more pics »
