Australian Grand Prix 2015, Melbourne - Race 1/19

Shimmy · 8 Mar 2015 at 22:46

Melbourne

When Formula One came to Australia in 1985 it set up home in Adelaide. However, ex-racer-turned-entrepreneur Bob Jane wanted a race in Melbourne. He created a huge 'thunderdome' and invented the AUSCAR series, bringing NASCAR action to Australia.

The desire to have a race in Melbourne did not wane. Despite the popular end of season slot for the Adelaide race, pressure was growing from the Melbourne motor sport community, and in 1992 Jeff Kennett was elected the new premier of the State of Victoria. He immediately set about improving Melbourne's profile. First on his list was the Australian Grand Prix.

An agreement was reached with Formula One in 1993, but the contract with Adelaide did not expire until 1995, so Kennett had plenty of time to prepare. A track was developed in Melbourne's beautiful Albert Park, part of it using closed-off public roads, and in 1996 the city held the first round of the world championship. Since then the race has become very popular with drivers and fans alike, and the party atmosphere of Melbourne keeps them coming back year after year.

TV Times

Sky:

BBC:

Track Diagram & Information

Live Timing

http://www.formula1.com/live_timing/

Weather Forecast

Technical Changes

http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/

Australia Preview Quotes

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2015/3/16862.html

2015 Driver Lineup

Practice 1

Practice 2

Practice 3

Qualifying

Race

Shimmy · 8 Mar 2015 at 22:46

That time of year again

MissChief · 8 Mar 2015 at 23:17

And I cannot wait!

ci_newman · 8 Mar 2015 at 23:31

Ouch I dont remember this race being so early in the morning

The_Abyss · 8 Mar 2015 at 23:54

Woohoo! We're back!

Reaper 392 · 9 Mar 2015 at 00:36

ci_newman said:
Ouch I dont remember this race being so early in the morning

I'm not sure, but it may be one of the races that was moved back an hour or so in the wake of Bianchi's crash.

Guerrilla · 9 Mar 2015 at 06:06

Hooray!

Thanks Shimmy

Skeeter · 9 Mar 2015 at 07:08

Reaper 392 said:
I'm not sure, but it may be one of the races that was moved back an hour or so in the wake of Bianchi's crash.

I think it was. It was pushed later by a few hours because Bernie wanted it on at a more convenient time in Europe (it used to start at 3 or 4am or something) but has now come forward an hour because the end of the race with a 6am start was hitting sunset.

Freakbro · 9 Mar 2015 at 07:37

Exciting!

(Probably more exciting than the actual race

)

BlizzardX · 9 Mar 2015 at 07:44

Oh yeah F1 is back and at a more normal time for me! I can kick back on a Sunday night with a beer and watch cars drive round a track.

Duke · 9 Mar 2015 at 07:55

Thanks Shimmy, can't wait

this_is_gav · 9 Mar 2015 at 08:15

Freakbro said:
Exciting!

(Probably more exciting than the actual race )

Almost never the case at Albert Park.

Freakbro · 9 Mar 2015 at 08:52

this_is_gav said:
Almost never the case at Albert Park.

True

utajoker · 9 Mar 2015 at 09:16

opening weekend and im in work at 5am on sat and sun

Twirlywoos · 9 Mar 2015 at 09:42

Wohoo, only Debbie downer is Alonso not taking part but
gentlemen
start
those
engines

GravyMonster · 9 Mar 2015 at 09:54

smr · 9 Mar 2015 at 10:42

Wooooooooohoooooooooooooo!!!!!! Formula 1 is back

Can't wait!

Do really enjoy Australia, great track. Who's staying up for FP1 and FP2 then?

this_is_gav · 9 Mar 2015 at 11:54

smr said:
Wooooooooohoooooooooooooo!!!!!! Formula 1 is back Can't wait!

Do really enjoy Australia, great track. Who's staying up for FP1 and FP2 then?

Sod FP1 as I quite like my job and want to keep it. Though FP2 and possibly FP3 - hell yeah!

cainer · 9 Mar 2015 at 12:14

Rosberg to win, Hamilton DNF is my prediction

Irish_Tom · 9 Mar 2015 at 12:32

\0/ Thanks Shimmy.

It seems to have come around quite quickly but the end of last season seems an age ago.

Really looking forward to it although won't be getting up for the practice sessions.