Track: Albert Park
Race Date: 17th March 2013
First Grand Prix (Country): 1985
First Grand Prix (Track): 1996
Number of Laps: 58
Circuit Length: 3.295 miles (5.303 km)
Race Distance: 191.071 miles (307.574 km)
Lap Record: 1:24.125 (Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, 2004)
Previous Pole Position: Lewis Hamilton, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Previous Race Winner: Jenson Button, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
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 race has become very popular with drivers and fans alike, and the party atmosphere of Melbourne keeps them coming back year after year.
Lewis Hamilton took pole in 2012, but had to settle for 3rd at the end of the Grand Prix. This year, he has a new team, and will no doubt be aiming to take Mercedes to new heights for 2013. Jenson Button is now the undesputed leader at McLaren, and won the race last year. After McLaren's reliability problems and setup woes of 2012 and the pre season tests, it would be a joy for him to win twice in a row.
There are a lot of changes for this year. Rookies like Max Chilton, Giedo van der Garde and Jules Bianchi, as well as others, all making their debut. 22 cars will aim for a position on the grid this year, but like the last time, no one is guaranteed a pass to the race.
