Introduction
The first Australian GP was held at the Adelaide street venue in 1985 and as the season-closing race it was soon established as one of the most popular venues of the season. In 1996 the event moved to Melbourne and was switched to the start of the season to avoid a clash with the city’s famous horse race. Albert Park has actually been used for racing many years earlier, and the modern venue still follows part of the old course. The track is virtually identical to the 1996 version, and it has always produced spectacular races, with safety cars often playing a role.
I enjoy the circuit. There’s a good balance between high and low speed, plus it’s a mixture between a street circuit and a permanent track, and that makes it quite unusual. I think the final sector stands out for me as the most interesting because it’s quite tricky and easy to get it wrong. We were strong on street circuits last year, especially Singapore, so hopefully that will continue. 