Australian Grand Prix
Race Information
- Course: Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
- Course Length: 3.280 miles (5.278 kilometers)
- Distance: 58 laps, 190.216 miles (306.124 kilometers)
- Date:
- 2023 Winner: Max Verstappen
- Course: Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
- Course Length: 3.280 miles (5.278 kilometers)
- Distance: 58 laps, 190.216 miles (306.124 kilometers)
- Date: Sunday, March 23th, 2024
- 2024 WINNER: Carlos Sainz
🏆Australian Grand Prix Odds
The Australian Grand Prix is one of the most historic racing competitions in Australia. Despite having moved frequently – a total of 23 different times – the Australian GP remains a staple in Formula One. This race, typically held early in the season, is scheduled to be a part of F1 until at least 2035. As of 2022, Michael Schumacher holds the modern record with four wins in this course – all in Albert Park.
Adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding this event is the world of sports betting. Fans keen on analyzing F1 odds find the Australian GP particularly intriguing due to its potential for surprises and upsets at the Formula 1 standings. Bettors scrutinize team performances, pre-season testing results, and historical data at Albert Park to make informed predictions.
| Driver | Team | Odds *Last Updated: 3/13/2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | -500 |
| Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +750 |
| Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +1100 |
| George Russell | Mercedes | +3300 |
| Lando Norris | McLaren | +3300 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +3300 |
| Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +4000 |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +5000 |
| Oliver Bearman | Ferrari | +6600 |
| Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +20000 |
🚥 What Is the Albert Park Circuit?
The Albert Park F1 circuit in Melbourne is a remarkable blend of public roads and parkland, converted into a high-speed racing venue that combines the thrill of motorsport with the scenic beauty of the city’s Albert Park. The initiative to bring Formula 1 to Melbourne materialized in 1993, culminating in a circuit design that incorporates sections of Aughtie Drive and Lakeside Drive. For those keen on tracing the path of F1 heroes, these roads offer a tangible connection to the racing world, with a detour through Lakeside Stadium’s parking area adding to the unique layout.
The inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park took place at the dawn of the 1996 season, just a few months following the final race in Adelaide in 1995. This first Melbourne Grand Prix is etched in the memories of many, particularly due to Martin Brundle’s dramatic crash in his Jordan car at Turn 3, a moment that highlighted the unpredictable nature of motorsport. Brundle’s car went airborne after colliding with Johnny Herbert’s Sauber, showcasing the high stakes and dangers inherent in Formula 1 racing.
Albert Park’s circuit is known for its temporary setup, which introduces unique challenges such as a bumpy surface and variable grip levels. The track surface was notably resurfaced for the 2022 F1 season, aiming to enhance the driving experience by reducing these issues. Despite its temporary nature, the track requires a finely-tuned chassis to navigate its faster sections and tight corners effectively. Drivers often speak of the need for a responsive front end that allows aggressive cornering, essential for tackling the circuit’s varied demands.
Moreover, Albert Park is recognized as one of the faster circuits on the F1 calendar, a distinction underscored by Lewis Hamilton’s pole lap in 2019, which averaged over 235 km/h. This blend of speed, technical requirements, and the picturesque setting makes the Albert Park circuit a standout venue in the world of Formula 1, offering drivers and fans alike an exhilarating experience that bridges the gap between the natural and engineered aspects of motorsport.
Formula 1 Race Schedule
F1 Championship:
- 7:30 p.m. ET – Practice 1
- 11:00 p.m. ET – Practice 2
F1 Championship:
- 7:30 p.m. ET – Practice 3
- 11:00 p.m. ET – Qualifying
F1 Championship:
- 10:00 p.m. ET – Race
| POSITION | DRIVER | TEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 5 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull |
| 6 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 7 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 8 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB |
| 9 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas |
| 10 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas |
Current F1 Standings - 2023 Season
🏁 Australian GP History & Highlights
The first Hungarian Grand Prix was technically held in 1936. A non-Formula 1 championship race was held on a five-kilometer circuit in the Népliget park within the city. Italian Tazio Nuvolari won that race for Alfa Romeo. Formula 1 did not return for decades due to politics and World War II.
When the Hungarian Grand Prix returned in 1986, it became the first F1 race to be held behind the Iron Curtain. That first race was a dramatic one featuring a close battle between Brazilian champions Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet. Piquet made a pass around the outside into the first hairpin turn on his way to victory. He won the next year’s race as well.
By the mid-1990s, the circuit gained a reputation as a processional race, meaning cars struggle to pass on the track. In 1990, Thierry Boutsen managed to stay in front of the much-faster Senna. The 1998 Hungarian Grand Prix saw seven-time champion Michael Schumacher opt for an extra pit stop to extend an advantage instead of trying to pass on the track. There were some exceptions, though; champion Nigel Mansell drove from 12th to first in 1989 by primarily passing cars on-track.
The circuit was modified in 2003 to have a sharper first turn and a medium straight between turns 13 and 14.
It’s also a track that saw a lot of first wins for notable drivers. F1 World champion Damon Hill took his first Grand Prix win there in 1993; double-world champion Fernando Alonso won in 2003, becoming the youngest-ever Grand Prix winner at the time and the first Spanish Grand Prix winner; 2009 champion Jenson Button won his first race in the rain-soaked 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix; Heikki Kovalainen became the 100th World Championship race winner in 2008; Esteban Ocon won his first race there in 2021.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most Hungarian Grand Prix wins with eight.
Circuit Information
The Albert Park Circuit is one of the bumpier Formula One tracks though it has recently undergone a resurfacing for the Formula 1 season
The course encloses a man-altered lake that used to be a large lagoon as part of the ancient Yarra River course. The track is not an easy one to use for overtaking. We saw what happened with Ralf Schumacher back in 2002. But it also contributes to the parity on this course as only two drivers, Vettel and Jensen Button, have won consecutive F1 races here.
Finally, the track changed the COVID-19 pandemic. The most notable was a modification of turns 9-10 from a heavy right-left corner to a fast-sweeping right-left corner into turns 11 and 12.
