After several months of man-hours and preparation, Albert Park has been transformed again to host the Australian F1 Grand Prix.
The street circuit has undergone several changes in recent years, and it promises to be a fast-paced track for the 2024 race.
The Sporting News takes you through the key details ahead of the event.
MORE: Daniel Ricciardo's record at the Australian Grand Prix
How many laps are in the Australian F1 Grand Prix?
This year, the Australian F1 Grand Prix will again take place over 58 laps.
Each lap is 5.278 km, meaning the entire race distance is 306.124 km.
The FIA - the sport's governing body - determines the length of a lap by measuring the inside and outside of the track and dividing that sum.
Australian F1 Grand Prix fastest lap record
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez currently holds the official race lap record at Albert Park, setting a time of 1:20.235 at the 2023 Grand Prix.
He was aided by the introduction of a fourth DRS (drag reduction system) zone for that year's race, where lap times were faster than usual.
The extra zone was been added at Turns 8 and 9, meaning that Albert Park became the only track on the F1 circuit to have more than three activation zones.
How many corners does the Albert Park F1 Circuit have?
There will be 14 turns at this year's Melbourne Grand Prix.
The first corner is a right-hand turn – a tight bend that challenges drivers immediately following the race start.
Five interesting facts about the Australian F1 Grand Prix
- Since its first running back in 1928, 23 different venues have been used to host the Australian Grand Prix.
- Due to its location in Albert Park – a local Melbourne park – it takes around 290,000 man-hours every year to erect the track and surroundings.
- The 2007 Australian Grand Prix was the only time, other than the first F1 race, where every driver on the podium was making their maiden appearance for their team. Kimi Raikkonen won on his Ferrari debut with Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton both finishing in the top three for McLaren.
- No Australian has ever won a home Grand Prix.
- The lowest starting position from which a driver has won the Australian GP is 11th, achieved by both David Coulthard in 2003 and Eddie Irvine in 1999.
Australian F1 Grand Prix: Past winners
Below you can find a list of the previous 20 race winners, divided by driver and constructor. The Australian Grand Prix was first held all the way back in 1928 before it first appeared on the official F1 calendar in 1985.
Ferrari have won this race the most times of any constructor with 13 victories, while Michael Schumacher holds the most race wins of any driver during the F1 era with four.
Year | Winning Driver | Winning Constructor |
2001 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
2002 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
2003 | David Coulthard | McLaren |
2004 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
2005 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault |
2006 | Fernando Alonso | Renault |
2007 | Kimi Raikkonen | Ferrari |
2008 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren |
2009 | Jenson Button | Brawn-Mercedes |
2010 | Jenson Button | McLaren |
2011 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull |
2012 | Jenson Button | McLaren |
2013 | Kimi Raikkonen | Ferrari |
2014 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes |
2015 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
2016 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes |
2017 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari |
2018 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari |
2019 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes |
2020 | Not held due to COVID-19 | - |
2021 | Not held due to COVID-19 | - |
2022 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |