The Melbourne circuit has been used since 1996 when it replaced Adelaide.
A new season of Formula One is upon us. Check out why the world loves racing at Melbourne's picturesque temporary circuit.
1. The 2019 calendar features 21 races. This season will also see the 1,000th Grand Prix in Formula One history — round three in Shanghai in April.
2. The Melbourne circuit has been used since 1996 when it replaced Adelaide. It surrounds the Albert Park Lake and is flanked by low trees and jubilant spectators. As a temporary facility, Albert Park can be a bumpy and slippery track to start with.
3. It is also one of the faster tracks on the calendar this year. Lewis Hamilton's pole lap set last year was at an average of 235 kmph.
4. There have been 13 Australian F1 drivers since 1950 and two world champions — Jack Brabham and Alan Jones. But they never won a home GP.
5. The favourites of this season are Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo Sauber), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and homeboy Daniel Ricciardo (Renault).
6. Under different management and after a positive winter testing, Ferrari has arrived in Melbourne with a fast car and plenty of buzz, raising expectation to challenge Mercedes' dominance Hamilton has also acknowledged that Ferrari has the edge going into the opening Grand Prix of the season, but the Mercedes ace is confident in his bid for a sixth world title.
7. Four drivers are making their debut in Formula One in Melbourne: Lando Norris (McLaren), George Russell (Williams), Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso), Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo Sauber).
8. This weekend's race also marks the comeback of Poland's Robert Kubica (Williams), who eight years ago partially severed his right arm in an accident that many believed would never see him driving a car again, let alone an F1 machine.
9. The former Force India team has changed its name to Racing Point and will have Lance Stroll, son of the new owner, Canadian billionaire Lance Stroll, alongside retained Mexican Sergio Perez. 10 Formula One has announced that it will award a point to the driver who sets the fastest race lap, starting from this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, provided he finishes in the top 10. It is also introducing a mandatory new ultraprotective helmet.
Hypercars, futuristic concepts and electric efficiency dominate the buzz at the ongoing Geneva International Motor Show 2019. Check out some of the most exciting ones.
Mercedes-Benz EQV concept carMercedes-Benz's new EQV concept car is said to be the first pure electric MPV in luxury cars. It has a cruising range of up to 400 km and can travel 100 km with just 15 minutes of charging. The leisure-time adventurer comes with a lounge ambience and features a compact electric drivetrain (eATS) on the front axle with an output of 150 kW.
PAL-V Liberty Pioneer EditionDutch company PAL-V unveiled the world's first production model flying car — the PAL-V Liberty Pioneer. The vehicle is developed as a commercial vehicle that complies with the existing regulations in most countries and is limited to 90 pieces only. It is equipped with a dual control cockpit and an Electronic Flight Instrument System.
Koenigsegg JeskoKoenigsegg Jesko is possibly the first car in the world to break the 300 mph (482 kmph) speed limit. The hypercar debuted at the Geneva Motor Show this year as a replacement for the Agera RS, which in 2017, broke a world record achieving a speed of 277.9 mph (447.2 kmph). Koenigsegg will make just 125 models of the Jesko that will be available in track and high-speed models.
Aston Martin AM-RB 003 hypercarThe concept car (formerly Project 003) debuts with a hybrid turbo V6 engine and incorporates concepts and technologies from the F1 and Aston Martin Valkyrie. Its infotainment system follows a 'bring-yourown-device' approach and expects owners to mount their smartphone to the dash for navigation, music and more.