The circuit actually uses a part of the Albert Park Lake, a man-made lake close to the Melbourne Business District. Drivers over the years enjoy Melbourne since the track is fast and fairly easy to manoeuvre and set fast times, but the design does not exactly aid overtaking either. From a viewer's point of view, this is not the best of circuits to enjoy a race unless you have a grandstand seat!

Michael Schumacher has won the Australian GP the most (4 times) and all his wins have been in Melbourne. But on the Constructor's side, it is McLaren who has the most wins. Interestingly, at Melbourne, Ferrari rules! The inaugural race was won by Damon Hill in his Williams and since then it's been a steady sequence of British and German flags! Last year's race, though, was won by a rampaging Fernando Alonso in his Renault beating Kimi Raikkonen and Ralf Schumacher.

The Melbourne Circuit is one of the least complicated circuits and at 5.3 km for a lap, offers a great spectacle of speed when an F1 car is on the track. Perhaps the most challenging part of the circuit are the sharp left and right turns just before the final straight. The Australian Grand Prix has normally been the first race of the season except in 2006 and 2010 when Bahrain kicked off the season. This year Bahrain will once again start the season, breaking the monotonous F1 calendar.

Recent Results

2010: Jenson Button (McLaren Mercedes)
2009: Jenson Button (Brawn GP)
2008: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
2007: Kimi Raikkone (Ferrari)
2006: Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2005: Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault)