Formula One Australian Grand Prix Important Facts
History - Facts - Winners - Schedule - Circuit
Location: Albert Park, South Melbourne, Australia.
Next Event: Sunday March 16th, 2008
Traditionally, Melbourne has hosted the opening round of the F1 championship. But in 2006, Melbourne hosted the 3rd round because it was hosting the Commonwealth Games when it would normally host the Grand Prix. Spain's Fernando Alonso won the event from third on the grid.
Each year a minor miracle takes place in Melbourne, Australia. It’s the transformation of a leafy, inner suburban open space into an international gathering-point for some of the biggest movers and shakers in world sport.
For the Australian F1 Grand Prix, a small army of construction workers, organizers, officials and volunteers change Albert Park into a global shop-window for the finest in Australian major events. A few miles of commuter roads suddenly become a 5.3-kilometre challenge to the greatest Formula One drivers in the world.
It’s a world-beating facility that attracts hundreds of thousands of people to Australia, from dedicated F1 amateurs to die-hard celebrity-watchers. It’s an inner-city party that last for four days but brings year-round interest as Melbourne launches the annual FIA Formula One World Championship.
Albert Park was completely revamped in preparation for the return of Grand Prix to Melbourne, Australia in 1996. The only permanent facility is the two story pit lane building. The rest, including grandstands and corporate facilities are temporary and are constructed every year.