Albert Park Circuit

The Albert Park Circuit is a motorsport street circuit around Albert Park Lake, three kilometres south of central Melbourne. It is used annually as a circuit for the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, the supporting Supercars Championship Melbourne 400 and other associated support races. The circuit has an FIA Grade 1 license.[3]

Albert Park Circuit
Albert Park Circuit (2021–present)
LocationAlbert Park, Melbourne, Victoria (Australia)
Time zoneUTC+10:00 (UTC+11:00 DST)
Coordinates37°50′59″S 144°58′6″E
Capacity~125,000 (39,000 seating)[1][2]
FIA Grade1
Opened20 November 1953 (1953-11-20)
Re-opened: 7 March 1996 (1996-03-07)
Closed30 November 1958 (1958-11-30)
Major eventsCurrent:
Formula One
Australian Grand Prix (1996–2019, 2022)
Supercars Championship
Melbourne 400 (2018–2019, 2022)
Supercars Challenge (1996–2006, 2008–2017)
S5000 (2022)
Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship
(2008, 2011–2020, 2022)
Future:
FIA F2 (2023)
FIA F3 (2023)
Former:
Australian GT Championship (2008–2010, 2016–2019)
Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific (2018–2019)
Australian F4 (2019)
Porsche Supercup (1999)
Australian Drivers' Championship (1957–1958, 1996)
Grand Prix Circuit (2021–present)
Length5.278 km (3.280 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:20.260 ( Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75, 2022, F1)
Grand Prix Circuit (1996–2020)
Length5.303 km (3.296 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:24.125 ( Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004, 2004, F1)
Original Circuit (1953–1958)
Length5.027 km (3.124 miles)
Turns9
Race lap record1:50.0 ( Stirling Moss, Cooper T45, 1958, Formula Libre)

Although the entire track consists of normally public roads, each sector includes medium to high-speed characteristics more commonly associated with dedicated racetracks facilitated by grass and gravel run-off safety zones that are reconstructed annually. However, the circuit also has characteristics of a street circuit's enclosed nature due to concrete barriers annually built along the Lakeside Drive curve, in particular, where run-off is not available due to the proximity of the lake shore.[4]

Design
A satellite view of the circuit just before race weekend 2018

The circuit uses everyday sections of road that circle Albert Park Lake, a small man-altered lake (originally a large lagoon formed as part of the ancient Yarra River course) just south of the Central Business District of Melbourne. The road sections that are used were rebuilt before the inaugural event in 1996 to ensure consistency and smoothness. As a result, compared to other circuits that are held on public roads, the Albert Park track has quite a smooth surface. Before 2007 there existed only a few other places on the Formula 1 calendar with a body of water close to the track. Many of the new tracks, such as Valencia, Singapore and Abu Dhabi are close to a body of water.

The course is considered to be quite fast and relatively easy to drive, drivers having commented that the consistent placement of corners allows them to easily learn the circuit and achieve competitive times. However, the flat terrain around the lake, coupled with a track design that features few true straights, means that the track is not conducive to overtaking or easy spectating unless in possession of a grandstand seat.[4][5][6]

Each year, most of the trackside fencing, pedestrian overpasses, grandstands, and other motorsport infrastructure are erected approximately two months before the Grand Prix weekend and removed within 6 weeks after the event. The land around the circuit (including a large aquatic centre, a golf course, a Lakeside Stadium, some restaurants, and rowing boathouses) has restricted access during that entire period. Dissent is still prevalent among nearby residents and users of those other facilities, and some still maintain a silent protest against the event. Nevertheless, the event is reasonably popular in Melbourne and Australia (with a large European population and a general interest in motorsport). Middle Park, the home of South Melbourne FC was demolished in 1994 due to expansion at Albert Park.[7]

The Grand Prix regularly draws crowds of over 270,000 spectators, with the 2022 drawing a record crowd of 419,114, including 128,294 on the main raceday.[8] There has never been a night race at Albert Park, although the 2009 and 2010 events both started at 5:00 p.m. local time. The current contract for the Grand Prix at the circuit concludes in 2035.[9]

Following the postponement of the Australian Grand Prix in 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the track underwent layout changes, the most notable part was the modification of the turn 9–10 complex from a heavy right-left corner to a fast-sweeping right-left corner into turns 11 and 12. Further modifications included the widening of the pit lane by 2 m (2.2 yd) and the reprofiling of turn 13.[10] Also, some corners were widened such as turn 1, turn 3, turn 6, turn 7, and turn 15; and it is expected that these modifications will reduce qualifying lap times by as much as five seconds.[11]

Everyday access
The Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit old layout in December 2017, while open to the public

During the nine months of the year when the track is not required for Grand Prix preparation or the race weekend, most of the track can be driven by ordinary street-registered vehicles either clockwise or anti-clockwise.

Only the sections between turns 3, 4, and 5, then 5 and 6, differ significantly from the race track configuration. Turn 4 is replaced by a car park access road running directly from turns 3 to 5. Between turns 5 and 6, the road is blocked. It is possible to drive from turn 5 on to Albert Road and back on to the track at turn 7 though three sets of lights control the flow of this option. The only set of lights on the actual track is halfway between turns 12 and 13, where drivers using Queens Road are catered for. The chicanes at turns 11 and 12 are considerably more open than that used in the Grand Prix, using the escape roads. Turn 9 is also a car park and traffic is directed down another escape road.

The speed limit is generally 40 km/h (25 mph), while some short sections have a speed limit of 50 km/h (31 mph), which is still slower than an F1 car under pit lane speed restrictions. The back of the track, turns 7 to 13 inclusive, is known as Lakeside Drive. Double lines separate the two-way traffic along most of Lakeside Drive with short road islands approximately every 50 m (55 yd) which means overtaking is illegal here. Black Swans live and breed in Albert Park, and frequently cross the road causing traffic delays, sometimes with up to five cygnets (young swans).

Approximately 80% of the track edge is lined with short parkland-style chain-linked fencing leaving normal drivers less room for error than F1 drivers have during race weekend. There is however substantial shoulder room between the outside of each lane and the fencing, which is used as parking along Aughtie Drive during the other nine months.

History

Albert Park Circuit (1953–1958)

Prior to World War II, attempts were made to use Albert Park for motor racing. The first was in 1934 but failed due to opposition, and a second attempt for a motorcycle race in 1937 similarly failed. Finally in 1953 the Light Car Club of Australia were able to secure use of the circuit for that year's Australian Grand Prix.[12]

Start of the 1953 Australian Grand Prix.

Albert Park is the only venue to host the Australian Grand Prix in both World Championship and non-World Championship formats with an earlier configuration of the current circuit used for the race on two occasions during the 1950s. During this time racing was conducted in an anti-clockwise direction[13] as opposed to the current circuit which runs clockwise.

Known as the Albert Park Circuit,[14] the original 3.125 mi (5.029 km) course hosted a total of six race meetings:[15]

  • 21 November 1953[14] – featuring the 1953 Australian Grand Prix, won by Doug Whiteford[15] (Talbot-Lago T26C)
  • 26 and 27 March 1955[16] – the first Moomba meeting, which involved an alliance with the Moomba festival and The Argus newspaper,[15] featuring the Moomba TT, won by Doug Whiteford (Triumph TR2)[17] and the Argus Trophy, also won by Doug Whiteford (Talbot-Lago)[18]
  • 11 March and 18 March 1956[19] – the second Moomba meeting,[15] featuring the 1956 Moomba TT won by Tony Gaze (HWM Jaguar), and on the second weekend the 1956 Argus Trophy, won by Reg Hunt (Maserati 250F)[19]
  • 25 November & 2 December 1956[20] – featuring the 1956 Australian Tourist Trophy, won by Stirling Moss (Maserati 300S), and on the second weekend the 1956 Australian Grand Prix, also won by Stirling Moss (Maserati 250F)[21]
  • 17[22] and 24 March 1957 – the third Moomba meeting[15] – featuring the Victorian Tourist Trophy[22] won by Doug Whiteford (Maserati 300S),[23] and the Victorian Trophy,[24] won by Lex Davison (Ferrari 500).[25] The Victorian Trophy was retrospectively designated as the second round of the 1957 Australian Drivers' Championship[26]
  • 23 and 30 November 1958[27] – featuring the 1958 Victorian Tourist Trophy, won by Doug Whiteford (Maserati 300S),[28] and, on the second weekend, the 1958 Melbourne Grand Prix, (a round of the 1958 Australian Drivers' Championship), won by Stirling Moss (Cooper Coventry Climax)[28]

The November 1958 meeting was the last on the original incarnation of the circuit, as it closed shortly after.[12]

Events
The 2014 Australian Grand Prix, viewed from the Eureka Skydeck
Current
Future
  • FIA Formula 2 Championship (2023)
  • FIA Formula 3 Championship (2023)
Former
  • Australian Drivers' Championship (1957–1958, 1996)
  • Australian Formula 4 Championship (2019)
  • Australian Formula Ford Championship (2009–2010, 2012)
  • Australian GT Championship (2008–2010, 2016–2019)
  • Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific (2018–2019)
  • Porsche Supercup (1999)
  • Supercars Championship Supercars Challenge (1996–2006, 2008–2017)

Race lap records

As of 10 April 2022, the official race lap records at the Albert Park Circuit are listed as:[29]

Class Driver Vehicle Time Date
Grand Prix Circuit (2021–present): 5.278 km
Formula One Charles Leclerc Ferrari F1-75 1:20.260 10 April 2022
S5000 Aaron Cameron Ligier JS F3-S5000 1:40.3696[30] 8 April 2022
Supercars Championship Scott Pye Holden Commodore (ZB) 1:46.006[31] 9 April 2022
Porsche Carrera Cup Max Vidau Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 1:48.6349[32] 8 April 2022
Grand Prix Circuit (1996–2020): 5.303 km
Formula One Michael Schumacher Ferrari F2004 1:24.125 7 March 2004
Formula 3 Bruno Senna Dallara F304 1:50.8640[33] 30 March 2006
Formula 5000 Ken Smith Lola T430 1:54.6975[34] 28 March 2010
GT3 Craig Baird Mercedes-AMG GT3 1:54.7311[35] 22 March 2018
Supercars Championship Chaz Mostert Ford FG X Falcon 1:55.7280[36] 15 March 2019
Porsche Carrera Cup Cooper Murray Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup 1:58.3294[37] 16 March 2019
Ferrari Challenge Renaldi Hutasoit Ferrari 488 Challenge 2:00.0713[38] 25 March 2018
Nations Cup Paul Stokell Lamborghini Diablo GTR 2:00.685[39] 8 March 2003
Formula 4 Jayden Ojeda Mygale M14-F4 2:02.1683[40] 17 March 2019
Porsche Supercup Ralf Kelleners Porsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup 2:03.819[41] 6 March 1999
Formula Ford Chaz Mostert Spectrum 012 2:04.4805[42] 27 March 2010
GT4 Ryan Simpson McLaren 570S GT4 2:05.9644[43] 15 March 2019
Group A Terry Lawlor Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R 2:10.8171[44] 13 March 2015
Aussie Racing Cars James Small Holden Commodore-Yamaha 2:16.0196[45] 15 March 2008
Group C Milton Seferis Holden VH Commodore SS 2:18.9539[46] 14 March 2015
V8 Utes Grant Johnson Holden Commodore Ute 2:22.3877[47] 1 April 2006
Original Circuit (1953–1958): 5.027 km
Formula Libre Stirling Moss Cooper T45 1:50.0 30 November 1958
Sports car racing Stirling Moss Maserati 300S 1:55.8[48] 25 November 1956

See also

References
  1. Andrew Rickart (3 April 2022). "Capacity crowd for Australian Grand Prix as ticket sell out". Highway F1. Capacity for the venue is between 120,000 - 130,000, with organisers now expecting a crowd in excess of 100,000 on Saturday as well for Formula One qualifying.
  2. "Australian F1 Grand Prix ready to go at enhanced Albert Park circuit". Austadiums. 7 April 2022. Such has been the demand for the 2022 event, that several new grandstands have been added to the circuit, and others extended, with an additional 10,000 seats, boosting seating to around 39,000 across 17 grandstands.
  3. "List of FIA Licensed Circuits" (PDF). FIA. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  4. "The Albert Park Circuit". The F1 Fansite. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  5. "Albert Park". ESPN UK. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  6. "Where is the Australian Grand Prix Circuit?". f1chronicle.com. 19 January 2021. Archived from the original on 10 April 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  7. "Middle Park Stadium". austadiums.com. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  8. Thomas, Joshua (10 April 2022). "Record-breaking crowd confirmed for Australian Grand Prix as Formula 1 soars Down Under". The Sporting News. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  9. "Formula 1 to race in Melbourne until 2035 in new agreement". Formula 1. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  10. "Albert Park F1 layout will change for 2021 Australian GP". motorsport.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  11. "New Albert Park layout will be five seconds faster". motorsport.com. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  12. Walker, Terry (1995). Fast Tracks. Sydney: Turton & Armstrong. p. 10. ISBN 0908031556.
  13. Stuart Sykes, It was - and still is - a great place for a race, Racing into History, A look back at the 1953 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, 2013, page3 & 4
  14. Official Souvenir Programme, XVIIIth Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park Circuit, 21 November 1953, front cover
  15. 1953, The official 50-race history of the Australian Grand Prix, 1986, pages 182 to 191
  16. Official Programme, Argus Moomba Motor Car Races, Albert Park Circuit, 26 & 27 March 1955, front cover
  17. Argus Moomba Motor Races, Australian Motor Sports, April 1955, pages 137 - 142
  18. Thrills for 250,000, The Argus, Monday, 28 March 1955, page 1
  19. JR Horman, Albert Park, Australian Motor Sports, April 1956, pages 136 to 143
  20. Albert Park, www.progcovers.com Retrieved on 10 July 2014
  21. 1956, The official 50-race history of the Australian Grand Prix, 1986, pages 218 to 226
  22. Programme, Victorian Tourist Trophy, First Day: 17th March 1957
  23. AC Russell, Albert Park - Victorian Tourist Trophy Meeting, Australian Motors Sports, page 131
  24. Victorian Trophy, Australian Motor Sport, May 1957, pages 174 to 176
  25. John B Blanden, Historic Racing Cars in Australia, 1979, pages 146 & 147
  26. Graham Howard, Lex Davison – larger than life, page 117
  27. Official Programme, 1958 Melbourne Grand Prix / Victorian Tourist Trophy, Albert Park Circuit, page 3
  28. David McKay, Quick money for Moss, Modern Motor, February 1959, pages 35, 36, 37 & 76
  29. "Natsoft Race Timing". natsoft.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  30. "2022 Albert Park S5000 Statistics". Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  31. "2022 Melbourne Supercars Race 3 Statistics". Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  32. "2022 Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit 2022 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia - Race 2". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  33. "2006 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship Round 2: Melbourne, 30th March-1st April - Race 1". Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  34. "2010 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit 2010 Jetstar Formula 5000 Tasman Cup Revival - Race 2". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  35. "2018 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit 2018 CAMS Australian GT Championship - Race 1". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  36. "2019 Melbourne Supercars Race 3 Statistics". Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  37. "2019 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia - Race 3". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  38. "2018 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli - Asia Pacific - Race 2 Classification". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  39. "Procar Stats" (PDF). procar.com.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  40. "Luis Leeds leads Formula 4 field in Australian GP support races". Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  41. "Porsche Super Cup 6 March, Melbourne - Non-championship Show Race". Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  42. "2010 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit 2010 Jetstar Australian Formula Ford Championship - Race 1". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  43. "2019 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit CAMS Australian GT Championship - Race 2". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  44. "2015 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit Penrite Oil Heritage Touring Cars - Race 1". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  45. "2008 Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit Aussie Racing Cars - Race 3". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  46. "2015 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit Penrite Oil Heritage Touring Cars - Race 2". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  47. "2006 Formula 1 Foster's Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit Cleanevent V8 Utes - Race 3". Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  48. "Australian TT 1956". Retrieved 18 June 2022.
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