The Australian Grand Prix is a historic circuit having been on the calender since 1996. Albert Park was previously home to the season opener up until 2019 (the circuit is to reclaim the opening race for the 2025 season). The high speed 5.28km long track comprises of 14 Turns and four DRS zones.

The circuit is relatively easy to drive due to its limited Turns and many straights. However, due to the straights not being very long, overtaking. Overtaking will most likely occur at the end of DRS zones, so Turns 1, 3 and 11. Some areas of the track are narrow, such Turn 6 through to 9 (Turn 6 saw George Russell’s crash during the 2024 race).

Braking stability, kerb riding and car agility are at the forefront of the car’s setup. With many straights and some a mix of slow + high speed corners, expect to see a medium wing level.

Despite being relatively easy to drive, the narrowness of the track can cause incidents. The likelihood of there being a Safety Car is high at 70%, whilst the Virtual Safety Car’s probability is 30%. Due to overtaking being harder at the Albert Park; tyre degradation being low; and normally high levels of traction, the overcut is a strategic possibility (such as the 2017 race).

With strategy, track position is key. The first and second DRS zones are only two turns away, so expect to see overtakes there. Getting into DRS range is easier under breaking rather than under acceleration, so drivers will exploit the short distance between Turn 6 and the detection point.

During 2022, the track was resurfaced with some metalic elements to improve the grip from the tyres. As a result, drivers can extract more performance from their tyres. Whether teams decide to choose between a one or two stop strategy variates each year. Track abrasion and tyre stress is low at Albert Park, which may encourage teams to elect a one stop strategy (like in 2023). However, track evolution and a low pit stop time (20 seconds under a green flag, 13.5 seconds under Safety Car) may encourage teams to do a two stop strategy (such as 2024’s race)

With that, expect to see the Hard and Medium tyres being utilised the most. As always, drivers who have been displaced from their usual positions may be on an offset strategy. Teams will probably decide to start with the Medium compound to maintain their position going into Turn 1. Further in to the race, if the driver is stuck in traffic, teams may decide to pit the driver and have them drive in clean air. Obviously, with the likelihood of there being a Safety Car at 70%, teams will try and extend their stints and hope for a cheap pit stop.

Another possible danger with the Australian Grand Prix is that at this point in the season, there are limited parts. This will hurt teams further down the grid more, such as Williams – Alex Albon crashed during Free Practice 1 writing off his chasis. As a result, Logan Sargeant was set not to race as his car was given to Albon.


TRIVIA:

• Fastest lap record: 1:20:235 – Sergio Perez
• Most wins: Michael Schumacher – 4
• Pit loss: 20 seconds
• 58 laps

2024’s PIT STOPS