Australian Grand Prix is a motor race held in Melbourne annually.
It has been held 76 times since 1928. The first run was at Phillip Island. Presently, it is held at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit.
The Circuit
The circuit consists of everyday sections of road around Albert Park Lake, to the south of Central Business District of Melbourne.
The course is quite smooth as compared to other publicly open circuits and is quite fast and easy to drive. Many drivers have commented that consistent placement of corners allows them to easily learn the circuit and achieve good times.
The public section is accessible to general public for 9 months per year. The trackside fences, pedestrian overpasses and other infrastructure are erected a month prior to the Grand Prix weekend and removed within 6 weeks of the event.
Beginning And History
The Australian Grand Prix began as 100 Miles Road Race held at original Phillip Island circuit in 1928. The races continued to be held on rectangular dirt road circuit for next eight years. Races continued to be held regularly till 1939 when the country was plunged into World War 2.
First post war Grand Prix was held in 1947 in Mount Panorama. The rotational system was introduced at the same time by newly formed CAMS.
Formula One
In 1985, Australia became part of the F1 World Championship. The last race of season was held on the street circuit in Adelaide. Till 1995, the races continued to be held there.
In 1993, Ron Walker, a prominent Melbourne businessman began working with the government to make Melbourne the host of the event. Late that year, it was announced that the race would be shifted to Albert Park street circuit in Melbourne. Race moved to Melbourne in 1996.
Notable Australian Grand Prix Facts
In 1986, Nelson Piquet’s Williams suffered a spectacular failure as his rear tire punctured at a very high speed near the end of the main straight creating a huge shower of sparks. He was able to control the car in the end, however.
In 1991, the shortest ever Formula One race was held as the conditions were extremely wet and tricky. Ayrton Senna was declared the winner.
In 2001, a volunteer track marshal, Graham Beveridge was killed when a flying tyre from a crash struck him.
2002 event saw the best performance by an Australian driver since 1984 when Mark Webber finished fifth. This news gathered huge attention from nationwide media.
In 2009, Jenson Button and Reubens Barrichello scored a 1-2 finished for Brawn GP in team’s debut F1 race.
Future
Victorian Government has announced that Malbourne would retain the Australina Grand Prix until at least 2015.