The Albert Park in Melbourne is set to host its 22nd edition of the Australian Grand Prix, starting the 2017 F1 Championship on Friday.
The last season saw Mercedes’ driver Nico Rosberg winning the Australian Grand Prix, who later gone to win the 2016 F1 Championship in the end. Keeping this fact in perspective, every driver would look to start with a victory here in Australia.
Here are some facts ahead of the first Grand Prix of the furious championship this year.
Technical trivia
The Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit hosted its first F1 GP in 1996, where Damon Hill of Williams Renault was crowned champion, who later went on to win the calendar championship.
The Albert Park circuit is stretched to 5.303 KM and with covering 58 laps of the Australian Grand Prix it covers a total race distance of 307.574 KM.
Debonair driver on circuit
Legendary German driver Michael Schumacher has been the most dashing driver on this circuit as his record timing of 1:24.125, which he clocked winning the 2004 Australian GP with Ferrari, remains intact.
Clash to watch out for
Lewis Hamilton vs Kimi Räikkönen
The three-time Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton would be setting his sights on the forth one this year as his teammate Nico Rosberg, who won the championship in 2016, is no longer in the race to the crown.
However, it won’t be an easy circuit for the British driver as Finland’s Kimi Räikkönen would pose the biggest treat in front of him, especially in the Australian Grand Prix.
Both the drivers have won the Australian GP twice, maximum by any driver so far. Therefore, it would be interesting to watch who would leap forward to set a new milestone here.
Driving for Ferrari, Räikkönen won the Australian Grand Prix in 2007, though the McLaren Mercedes’ Hamilton disrupted his dominance as he lifted the title in 2008. Later driving for Lotus Renault, Räikkönen returned to winning route when he won the Australian GP in 2013. Mercedes’ driver Hamilton again came on top, winning the 2015 edition of the event.
What’s in the venue?
The Melbourne GP circuit has been designed beautifully around the Albert Park and connected to closed-off public roads.
Locals, dog walkers and cyclists are allowed to use the tracks and off-roads to it in the everyday life. Despite staging the speedy sport, the driving rules in Albert Park include the speed limit of 50 KMPH and overtaking is illegal here.
Rookie and the warhorse
This year’s Australian GP will feature only one rookie driver – Williams-Mercedes’ driver Lance Stroll. The 18-year-old Canadian would be the youngest as well in 2017 F1 Championship.
Ferrari’s Räikkönen, 37, will be the oldest driver on the circuit this year and the 2007 F1 Champion will definitely aims for his third Australian GP title.
Weather moods
The race to be held on March 24-26 would witness a partly cloudy weather. However, there is a chance of rain predicted for Monday.
Besides the word of the rain god, the party atmosphere in Melbourne will keep the F1 enthusiasts eager to on-look the best of Formula One action.