Posted on 11th March 2013
Tom Wilkinson's Track Talk – Albert Park (Melbourne)
The Facts
Lap: 5.303 km
Race Laps: 58
Lap Record: 1:24.125
M Schumacher 2004
2012 Winner: J Button
Race Date: 17.03.2013
Safety Car – Very Likely
Weather – Warm & Sunny
Tyres – Medium & Super Soft
The Circuit
This is a temporary street circuit around the beautiful Albert Park in Melbourne. It's been the home of the Australian Grand Prix since 1996. It's the perfect place to start a brand new season of Formula 1. This has always been a favourite among race fans and drivers, a very technical circuit and very fast. It's easy to forget this is a street circuit then watching on the television. It's a very beautiful track set among the trees and lake in Albert Park, the beautiful Melbourne city skyline is a dramatic backdrop. The track surface can be quite greasy when the teams arrive Melbourne, it can take time to rubber in.
This circuit has real character, it's a bumpy lap with fast challenging corners. Overtaking is limited around here with the best chance to make a move is at turn 1. There are 2 DRS zones, the first down the pit straight, the second immediately after on the run to turn 3. These are the best places to see overtaking. However turns 11 and 12 provide real drama for the viewer and the driver. A left right section taken around 230 kph it's a terrific piece of race track. Albert Park is a brilliant track providing a great spectacle for the fans.
The Times
The 2013 Australian Grand Prix requires some early alarm clocks for those dedicated fans. Here is how the race weekend looks for UK Viewers.
Friday 15th
First Practice 01:30 – 03:00
Second Practice 05:30 – 07:00
Saturday 16th
Third Practice 03:00 – 04:00
Qualifying 06:00
Sunday 17th
Race 06:00
The Coverage
All sessions will be covered Live on Sky Sports F1 HD and repeated later in the day. The BBC will have extended highlights on Qualifying and the Race. See your TV guide for programme times.
You can stay up to date with all the Formula 1 news by following me on Twitter @TomWilkinsonF1 #TWF1 where I'll be commentating Live throughout the weekend. I'll be covering each session live and keeping you right up to date with the very latest. Read my full race report right here at Driving For Pleasure.
Tom Wilkinson F1
Twitter: @TomWilkinsonF1 #TWF1
