2013 Formula 1 Rolex Australian GP Thread

Ladies and Gentlemen, hello and welcome to ManUtdDaredevil’s official Australian 2013 Formula 1 Rolex Grand Prix race thread. Before I start, I must say, welcome back F1, I’ve missed you . I’ll be making future race threads and if I’m unable to, I’ll let you guys know beforehand. You will notice that these threads will have a more laid back informal style. You can read all the boring stuff from F1.com

Let’s get down to business. Once again Melbourne extends its welcome to Formula One as Albert Park prepares to host the Australian Grand Prix, the opening race of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship. It’s hard to believe that sixteen weeks have passed since the Interlagos grand prix where the finger clinched Adrian Newey’s third driver and constructors championship for the fizzy drinks company.

We expect a close year of racing and hopefully some lovely surprises along the way. The regulations have stabilised as we are moving to different engines in 2014.


Race Details

Race Date: 17 Mar 2013
Circuit Name: Albert Park
First Grand Prix: 1996
Number of Laps: 58
Circuit Length: 5.303 km
Race Distance: 307.574 km
Lap Record: 1:24.125 - Michael Schumacher (2004)

Race Schedule

Fri 15 March 2013
Practice 1 01:30 - 03:00
Practice 2 05:30 - 07:00

Sat 16 March 2013
Practice 3 03:00 - 04:00
Qualifying 06:00

Sun 17 March 2013
Race 06:00

All times UK

A few facts

This will be the 29th F1 World Championship running of the Australian Grand Prix. It is the 18th consecutive year of the race being run at Albert Park, 16 of which have opened the Formula One season.

In 1996, when the race moved to Albert Park, it produced the oddity of Australia hosting back-to-back grands prix, the closing race of 1995 having taken place at Adelaide. Albert Park is a temporary circuit with parts of the track used by general road traffic for the majority of the year. As such, it features unusually high grip-evolution (and thus falling lap times) over the course of the weekend, as the track ‘rubbers-in’.

In common with Abu Dhabi, the Australian Grand Prix has a local start time of 5pm. Unlike the event at Yas Island, this race finishes in daylight – but the low angle of the sun and the lengthening shadows have been known to make the latter stages of the race difficult for drivers.

Of the current grid, Jenson Button is the standout performer, having won three times in the last four years. It leaves him one victory short of equalling Michael Schumacher’s F1-era record. Schumacher won the race in 2000, ’01, ’02, ’04.

On 11 occasions from 17 starts, the winning driver at Albert Park has gone on to lift the Drivers’ Championship trophy at the end of the season.
The race winner has started on pole eight times at Albert Park. The lowest starter to win was Eddie Irvine, who started 11th for Ferrari in 1999.

Four drivers start this race for new teams, having moved during the off-season. Lewis Hamilton has moved from McLaren to Mercedes; Sergio Pérez from Sauber to McLaren; Nico Hülkenberg from Force India to Sauber and Charles Pic from Marussia to Caterham. Also, Adrian Sutil is beginning his second stint with Force India.

Five rookies will contest the Australian Grand Prix: Esteban Gutiérrez (Sauber); Valtteri Bottas (Williams); Giedo van der Garde (Caterham); Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi (Marussia).

The demise of HRT returns F1 to a 22-car grid for the first time since the opening rounds of 2008. During that season the withdrawal of Super Aguri after four rounds reduced it to 20. It expanded to 24 in 2010.

Source for the facts; F1.com

Thread Rules
1. Comment✔
2. Bickering is encouraged✔
3. Be very fickle✔
4. The Anti-Hamilton brigade are unwelcome ✔
5. The Hamelots are also unwelcome✔
6. Calling anyone a fanboy will result in an immediate ban✔
7. Anyone but Vettel✔
8. Fizzy Drinks supporters will be tolerated in small doses✔
9. No Indy Car or NASCAR references✔

Gentlemen, Start your Engines!!!!!!!