It’s time for the Australian Grand Prix preview! Since 1996, the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit has been a staple of the F1 calendar. It is a fan and driver favorite due to Melbourne’s incredible atmosphere and beautiful sights.
Australian Grand Prix Preview: The Track
The Albert Park Circuit is one of F1’s fastest tracks, which makes for exciting laps and contentious qualifying rounds. There are three sectors comprised of 14 turns on this track. There are 2 DRS zones located before turn 9 and turn 13. Both DRS zones occur directly ahead of corners which may present difficulties for the drivers to pass at these locations. However, this will give a substantial opportunity to witness fighting for positions and strong defensive maneuvers.
In past years, the track has been notably bumpy. This may cause an issue for multiple teams as we saw many cars porpoising during preseason testing. The problem was reportedly due to the low stature of the cars. While this issue has not caused any apparent issues for constructors like Red Bull, we may see a different scenario than in Bahrain and Jeddah. To contrast, the straights on this circuit may be to the Red Bull car’s advantage because of its speed.
Read: ‘Formula One Schedule and Exciting Locations‘ for more on the 2023 circuits!
No Australians on the Australian Podium
Over the 30 years that Australia has participated in Formula One, no Australian driver has managed to finish within the top three. Daniel Ricciardo (a fan-favorite Australian driver) was able to finish fourth in 2018 at the Australian Grand Prix, so he narrowly missed the podium. In 2014, Ricciardo was able to finish second in the race, but Red Bull was penalized because they exceeded the fuel flow rate limit.
This year, Australian fans will support the rookie driver Oscar Piastri. Both McLaren drivers have been unable to achieve a top-ten finish this season, so it is unlikely for Oscar to take the podium this year. However, I am certain that McLaren and Australian fans would be thrilled by a finish within the points.
Also very exciting for F1 fans worldwide: Daniel Ricciardo will be at the Australian Grand Prix with Red Bull! Danny is currently Red Bull’s third driver, but he has yet to attend a grand prix this season. I, for one, am ecstatic to see him in the garage again.
Read: ‘Home Races for the 2023 Formula One Drivers‘ for more of this year’s home races!
Note-Worthy Australian Grand Prix Winners
Four drivers on the 2023 grid have won in Albert Park. This includes seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. Additionally, 10-time race winner Valtteri Bottas won here in 2019. The latest success, although, has come from Charles Leclerc. In the 2022 season, Leclerc managed to obtain pole position, a P1 finish, and the fastest-ever lap at the Albert Park Circuit. This success undoubtedly helped him obtain his second-place finish in the World Drivers’ Championship, and he is certain to want a repeat victory.
A surprising absence from the Australian Grand Prix winners is two-time world champion Max Verstappen. Due to Covid restraints, the Australian Grand Prix was not held in 2020 or 2021, but this is one of the only races on this year’s calendar that Max has not won.
