Formula 1 begins on the Albert Park Street Circuit in Melbourne, Australia’s sporting capital, as the circuit is located only a few kilometres south of central Melbourne and a short walk to the beach at St Kilda. During the nine months of the year when the track isn’t required for grand prix preparation or the race weekend, most of it can be driven by ordinary street-registered vehicles – although the speed limit is just 50kph and overtaking is illegal.
Excluding 2006 and 2010, when Bahrain hosted the event, the Australian Grand Prix has formed the opening race of the World Championship since moving to Melbourne from Adelaide in 1996. During its years at the Adelaide Street Circuit it formed the final round of the season, providing the stage for the decisive race in both the 1986 and 1994 Drivers’ World Championship battles.
2018 Australian Grand Prix weather forecast:
Different weather conditions can result in very different races, and Formula 1 teams adapt their strategy accordingly, for example using different tyres in wet conditions, and taking account of cross winds which can cause stability problems at high speeds. While the three practice sessions at Albert Park will most likely take place in ideal weather conditions, as no rain is predicted for Friday and early Saturday, there is a 40% chance of rain on Saturday afternoon, when the qualifying is scheduled in Melbourne. According to metoffice.gov.uk, there is also a 40% chance of rain on Sunday, during the race, which could make for a very interesting first Grand Prix of the 2018 championship. Tyre strategy will prove important for the outcome of the race, especially given the new compounds which Pirelli are bringing this year.
2018 Australian Prix Information – Timetable
All times are local (Melbourne is GMT 11)
Thursday 22 March
15:00: FIA press conference
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Friday 23 March
12:00 – 13:30: First free practice
16:00 – 17:30: Second free practice
18:30: FIA press conference
Saturday 24 March
14:00 – 15:00: Third free practice
17:00 – 18:00: Qualifying
18:00: FIA post-qualifying press conference
Sunday 25 March
16:10 – 18:10: Australian GP
18:10: FIA post-race press conference
Circuit Characteristics:
Circuit Length – 5.303 km
Race Laps – 58
Race Distance – 307.574 km
Lap Record – 1:24.125
Record Holder: Michael Schumacher (2004)
Number of Corners 16 (6 Left / 10 Right)
Distance from Pole to Turn One Apex 383.6 m
Pit Lane Length Under Speed Limit Control 262.9 m
Pit Lane Time at 80 km/h 15.8 s
Highest Lateral G 4.6 (T11)
% of Lap / Lap Distance at Full Throttle: 70% / 71%
Fuel Consumption: High
Braking Events 6 (4 Heavy)
Brake Energy: High
Track Evolution (P1-Qualifying): High
Tyre Compounds: 2018 Ultrasoft, Supersoft, Soft
DRS Zones T 16-1 / T 2-3
Key Overtaking Opportunities T 1 / 3
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