RACE GUIDE ROUND 1 – AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX – March 24-27
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AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
ALBERT PARK
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Round 1 – Australia
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Race Preview
Round 1 – Australia
INTRODUCTION RACE GUIDE EVENT 2 – Clipsal 500, Adelaide – March 17-20
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CLIPSAL 500
ADELAIDE
All eyes on Webber
EDITOR: Stefan Bartholomaeus
The combination of a new Formula One season and the prospect of Mark Webber winning his first Australian Grand Prix is enough to send local motorsport fans into overload.
PRODUCTION: Grant Rowley
The man from Queanbeyan has won four Grands Prix since he last took to the Albert Park circuit - which is a sure-fire way to increase expectation levels across fans and media alike.
SALES/MARKETING: Leisa Emberson IMAGES: Edge Photographics Red Bull Racing GUEST COLUMNIST: Greg Rust PARTNERS: Castrol EDGE, IRWIN Tools, Jack Daniel’s, Orrcon Steel, Pirtek, Vodafone, HDT
With Red Bull Racing having once again set the benchmark during pre-season testing, this weekend’s race could well come down to a battle between Webber and his team-mate Sebastian Vettel. While much was made of Vettel’s ability to edge Webber in the dying moments of qualifying last year, the new challenges that the drives will face during this season’s races may well play into the hands of the more experienced Australian. Tyre management and pit strategy will have a far greater role in deciding the 2011 Grand Prix winners, with much uncertainty surrounding the arrival of new tyre supplier Pirelli. The fact that drivers will have to think their way through the race while operating the Kinetic Energy Recovery and Drag Reduction Systems will certainly place a premium on multi-tasking. No matter what the result, another fascinating weekend of Grand Prix racing lies ahead. Green means go! STEFAN BARTHOLOMAEUS Journalist, Speedcafe.com.au Editor, Speedcafe Race Guides
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Race Guide
NEWS
The big changes for 2011 There are a bunch of key technical changes to this year’s F1 world title. STEFAN BARTHOLOMAEUS investigates the off-season mix-up Pirelli tyres Of all the changes for this season, the move from Bridgestone to Pirelli tyres is set to have the biggest impact on this weekend’s race. The tyres have been the talking point of pre-season testing, with many teams and drivers expressing alarm at the degradation rates of the Italian rubber. Pirelli has insisted that the tyres have been designed to wear faster, in order to make the racing more exciting. The company has also claimed that the degradation experienced in testing was amplified by the cool winter temperatures in Spain. The cancelation of the Bahrain test and race has left a big question mark on tyre performance heading into the Australian Grand Prix.
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“We’re aiming for between two and three pit stops in Australia, which in some ways is against our company DNA as our road car tyres are designed to be as durable as possible,” says Pirelli’s Paul Hembery. “But Formula One is a very different case, because our remit from the teams and promoter was to provide entertainment. “We’ve noticed a few differences between the teams already in testing, and it’s going to be very interesting to find out exactly how that translates into a race situation.” Bridgestone had been the sole tyre supplier for five seasons, and the switch to Pirelli may suit some drivers more than others.
Teams will also have less tyres available in 2011, with total available sets of slicks down from 14 to 12. Adjustable rear wings While the Pirelli tyres will be the most crucial factor this weekend, the use of the adjustable rear wings is expected to be the most controversial. Inspired by McLaren’s radical F-Duct of 2010, the adjustable rear wings, known as Drag Reduction Systems, have been introduced to increase overtaking. The systems will become electronically ‘armed’ when a driver is travelling less than one-second behind an opponent at a specified point on the circuit. A top speed boost, expected to be in the vicinity of 7-12km/h, will then
Round 1 – Australia
be available to the driver at the touch of a button, in order to assist overtaking. While several teams have struggled to make the systems work reliably in pre-season testing, the most talked about aspect of the DRS is the fact that they can be used at any point on the circuit during practice and qualifying. With the F-Ducts having been banned on account of being dangerous, the drivers are expected to be activating their DRSs in all the high-speed corners during qualifying. Mark Webber has described this concept as being ‘a bit sketchy.’ The adjustable front-wings and double-deck diffusers seen since 2009 have been banned for this season. Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems are back for 2011,
after a one-year Formula One Teams Association- induced hiatus. The technology, which captures energy lost as heat under braking and stores it for later use, made its debut in 2009 with mixed results. While only Ferrari and McLaren persisted with the technology throughout the entire season, backmarker squads Team Lotus, Virgin Racing and Hispania will be the few entries without it this weekend. With an energy storage limit of 400 kilojoules, the drivers will have up to 80bhp available to them for over 6.5s per lap - with the system activated via a steering wheel mounted button. While the benefits of KERS remain the same as they did in 2009, the minimum weight for the cars has grown by 20kgs since that time, making the 35kg devices less of a weightdistribution headache for designers.
Other changes The 107 percent qualifying cut-off returns for 2011, which clearly a concern for minnows Hispania this weekend. Gearboxes must now last five races instead of four, with a five place grid penalty once again in place for those who require an early change. A highly controversial point of the 2010 season, the clause within the regulations banning team orders has now been removed - although blatant manipulation of races is still expected to be punished. Team members will also be subject to track curfews beginning with this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. Crew will not be able to enter the circuit between midnight and 6am when practice is scheduled to start at 10am the following day, or between 1am and 7am when practice starts at 11am.
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Race Guide
NO BULL, MATE!
t Formula One. Now, the hosts of thr firs in n atio ent res rep any e hav n’t did bber. For many years, Australia tester Daniel Ricciardo and Mark We so Ros o Tor – ers driv two has son round of the 2011 sea
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Event 12 – Symmons Plains
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Race Guide
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Round 1 – Australia
OPINION by GREG RUST
Getting back on the bike Red Bull Racing go into this weekend’s first round of the Formula One World Championship as the clear favourite, and in someways, that’s going to put even more pressure on the reigning champions. Pressure or not, it is clear that the team’s pre-season preparation has been perfect. Not just from the car build and design point of view, but the drivers as well. Reigning champ Sebastian Vettel is going to enter 2011 with a massive amount of confidence, as any young, new champion would. But, it is the old story – defending the title can be hard, if not harder, than getting the first one. On the same hand, Mark Webber has had an ideal preparation. The Australian has no injuries this year and he’s in a good, relaxed frame of mind. Most of us said that last year was his best chance to win the title, but this year, he’s in an even better chance. Can Mark win? To answer that, I need to take my motorsport blinkers off. Over my time as a journalist, I’ve mainly interviewed motorsport people, but I’ve spoken to many other sportsman. To compare Mark with other sportsman, the best example I can think of is cyclist Cadel Evans. For a long time, Cadel was ‘Mr Second.’ He finished second a number of times in the Tour de France and many in the cycling fraternity said that he couldn’t cut it. In 2009, Cadel won the world title, and you can see his level of improvement and the confidence that gave him.
In Mark’s case, how does he go this year, having come tantalisingly close? Will he be like Cadel and rise above defeat? He didn’t lose that title in the final round of last year’s title in Abu Dhabi – it was a range of things over the course of the season. He knows that an F1 season is a marathon year, and he’s just got to do those little things better. The key for Mark in 2011 is how he mentally rebounds from 2010. Losing like that can break people. Will it break Webber? I doubt it. In my view, he looks like he has come back stronger and in a good frame of mind. While Red Bull is the stand-out pre-season favourite, Ferrari will be close. Fernando Alonso has done a good job motivating the team. He has made the team gel as a group and, like Webber, losing at the final round will make the whole Ferrari outfit hungry. And it will be interesting to see what McLaren pack in the carry-on luggage! They’ve struggled in pre-season testing, but do they have something up their sleeve? We had an exciting year for different reasons last year. I think we could be in for an even better one in 2011 ...
F1 TV TIMES Friday; One 12-7 (Ten) Saturday; 12-6.05 (Ten), continuing 7pm on One HD Sunday; 12-7pm (Ten and One HD)
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Race Guide
THE BAG MAN
SPEEDCAFE.COM’S
THE N A M G A B BAGMAN’S SAY TRACK FORM – THE
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Round 1 – Australia
RED BULL RACING SEBASTIAN VETTEL “We know what it feels like to start the season in Australia, it’s a special place with a special track - it’s one of the few cities that lives Formula 1 for the week, so I’m looking forward to it.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: German DoB: 03/07/1987 Wins: 10
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HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
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7
3
3
15
4
2
1
DNF
1
1
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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2007
2008
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-
-
-
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4
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DNF
MARK WEBBER “As an Australian I’m looking forward to Melbourne being the first race. We’ve done a huge amount of testing and a lot of work has gone into the cars - now we’ll put them through their paces at Albert Park and lots of questions will be answered.”
Nat: Australian DoB: 27/08/1976 Wins: 6
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Red Bull Racing enters the opening race of the 2011 season as the overwhelming favourites. Team drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber topped five out of the 14 pre-season test days between them, and are expected to set the pace in Melbourne. Reliability was also impressive during the (European) winter, which was critically important to the development of the team’s new KERS and DRS systems. Albert Park will mark the first race for Red Bull with KERS – an area where the Milton Keynes squad is at a potential disadvantage to McLaren and Ferrari. Adding the fact that both drivers have made silly errors here in recent seasons means a victory is expected but far from guaranteed.
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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HUN
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1 6 1 2 Recent Albert Park Form
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JAP
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6
3
2
DNF
2
8
2001
2002
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-
5
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5
6
13
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12
9
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Race Guide
McLaren Mercedes LEWIS HAMILTON “It’s felt like a very long winter. We can’t hide the fact that testing has been tougher than we expected: our test mileage hasn’t been as high as that of our rivals, nor have we had the outright pace of the fastest cars.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: British DoB: 07/01/1985 Wins: 14
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2
4
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1
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5
2
4
2
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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-
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JENSON BUTTON “Albert Park has been good to me: I’ve won there for the past two seasons. I’m regularly being asked if I can make it three wins in a row this year. On paper that might not look likely, but, seriously, who knows? I most definitely wouldn’t rule it out.”
Nat: British DoB: 19/01/1980 Wins: 9
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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4
5
8
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2
4
4
12
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3
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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14
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10
6
11
4
15
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1
14
THE BAGMAN’S SAY In years gone by, a car like the MP4-26 would have arrived at the first Grand Prix as a highly competitive package, with its various bugs having been ironed out during months of private testing. There is nowhere to hide in modern Formula One however, and for the second time in three years, McLaren is paying the price. Not launched until after the first test, the development of the McLaren has suffered greatly due to a lack of running. While the Mercedes KERS and engine package should be the strongest on the grid, the car fundamentally lacks grip and is not expected to be able to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari. Despite having two recent World Champions at the controls, a podium would be a strong result at Albert Park.
Round 1 – Australia
FERRARI FERNANDO ALONSO “Overall, I think we will arrive in Melbourne in a hundred percent state of readiness, but whether or not that will be enough to win, we will not know until we are there in Australia.”
Nat: Spanish DoB: 29/07/1981 Wins: 26
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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ITA
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14
1
2
DNF
1
1
3
1
3
7
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
2002
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2006
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12
-
7
3
3
1
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FELIPE MASSA “I’m happy to be starting the season in Australia, although I am also disappointed not to be going to Bahrain from a racing point of view. I really liked going there, as the track seemed to suit me very well and also the team.”
Nat: Brazilian DoB: 25/04/1976 Wins: 11
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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15 2 4 4 Recent Albert Park Form
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3
8
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3
15
10
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-
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10
9
6
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DNF
3
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Ferrari was the only team to consistently take it to Red Bull across the winter tests, with the F150th Italia’s name the only headline-grabbing issue. The team completed around 20 percent more running than any other, according to Pirelli’s official figures, such was the car’s reliability. While outright performance is expected to be a fraction behind the Red Bulls in qualifying, the Ferraris should be close enough to apply plenty of pressure during the race. Fernando Alonso is perhaps the most complete driver on the grid at the moment, and is best placed to challenge Vettel and Webber for both the Australian Grand Prix victory and the championship title. Felipe Massa has faired poorly at Albert Park in the past, and will be desperate to get his 2011 campaign off to a competitive start before he slips back into the dreaded ‘number two’ role that he occupied last season.
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Race Guide
MERCEDES MICHAEL SCHUMACHER “I am lucky enough to have a lot of good memories from Melbourne: it’s a venue where I have won four times and those races will always be very special.”
Nat: German DoB: 03/01/1969 Wins: 91
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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HUN
BEL
ITA
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9
9
11
7
9
13
6
4
7
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Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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2005
2006
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1
1
4
1
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-
10
NICO ROSBERG “We’re in good shape. The team and car have progressed a lot over the winter, we’re pleased with the performance from our upgrades and the car is handling well.”
Nat: German DoB: 27/06/1985 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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HUN
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3 8 DNF 6 Recent Albert Park Form
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5
5
17
DNF
6
4
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-
-
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7
7
3
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16
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Perhaps the most intriguing team of the off-season, Mercedes began its winter campaign slowly and unreliably, before seemingly overcoming both issues. Between them, Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg topped one day at each of the final three tests, with both drivers reporting a significant improvement from the new front wing/bargeboard/brake duct package introduced for the second visit to Barcelona. While media outlets have keenly reported Schumacher’s hopes for victories this season, getting either driver on the podium has to be the target in Melbourne. Going on last year’s form, Rosberg is the more likely of the two to achieve that feat. Schumacher fans are no doubt hoping that last year’s Bridgestone tyres really were what was holding the seventime World Champion back ...
Round 1 – Australia
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Race Guide
RENAULT NICK HEIDFELD “The chance to race came out of the blue. At the start of it there was definitely the emotional because there was the strain of coping with Robert’s accident while knowing that this could be a chance for me.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: German DoB: 10/05/1977 Wins: 0
GBR
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KOR
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-
-
-
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8
9
17
11
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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4
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12
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10
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VITALY PETROV “Last year I learned a lot about the sport, the circuits and the car. That will help me improve even more in the future. I am very excited about working with this great team once more, and I’m confident that I will deliver.”
Nat: Russian DoB: 08/09/1984 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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HUN
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13 10 5 9 Recent Albert Park Form
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13
11
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16
6
2001
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-
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DNF
18
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Having topped the final day of the first test in Barcelona, Renault was the talk of the paddock. With undoubtedly one of the very best drivers in the field, Robert Kubica, and a new car sporting what was described as the innovation of the year, forward facing exhausts, the Enstone squad had firmed as an outside contender for the title. Sadly, Kubica’s seasonending rally crash just days later removed a key part of that equation. After finding itself in the unexpected position of actually having to use one of its five inexperienced test drivers, Renault wisely looked further afield to Nick Heidfeld, who subsequently continued the R31’s development the best he could. The disrupted test program makes the fortunes of Heidfeld and team-mate Vitaly Petrov at Albert Park very hard to predict. It’s safe to say that the German will be disappointed without at least a small handful of points from the season-opening Grand Prix.
Races 3/4 – Adelaide
WILLIAMS RUBENS BARRICHELLO “Everyone is doubly excited about the first race as we should already have been racing by now. I want to get started and can’t wait to see the red lights go out in Melbourne.”
Nat: Brazilian DoB: 23/05/1972 Wins: 11
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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5
12
10
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10
6
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7
14
12
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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3
DNF
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2
2
15
11
DSQ
2
8
PASTOR MALDONADO “I feel more than ready to start my first season in Formula One. I have never been to Melbourne before but we’ve done a good amount of testing which will add to the time I have spent learning the circuit in our simulator.”
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Once again looking to climb its way out of the midfield this season, the new Williams FW33 has shown promising pace in testing, along with some costly unreliability. New KERS and DRS have been of particular concern, with several failures costing rookie Pastor Maldonado valuable track time. While the appointment of the heavily-financed Maldonado is a slightly worrying sign for the once illustrious team’s position in the sport, the extra budget should help Rubens Barrichello in his fight to catch the Renault, Mercedes and McLaren opposition. The Brazilian should scrape into Q3 at Albert Park and contend for points, while the Venezuelan’s focus will be on getting through Q1.
Nat: Venezuelan DoB: 09/03/1985 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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HUN
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ITA
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BRA
ABU
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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Race Guide
FORCE INDIA ADRIAN SUTIL “I hope that I will be able to finish the race as last year the gearbox let us down. It is always a good feeling to finish the first race, as you then know that the season has really started.”
Nat: German DoB: 11/01/1983 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
8
17
DNF
5
16
9
DNF
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12
13
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
2002
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2004
2005
2006
2007
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2010
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-
-
-
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-
17
DNF
9
DNF
PAUL DI RESTA “I am obviously very excited heading into my Grand Prix debut, but it is a strange feeling as the first race was cancelled in Bahrain and everything was prepared for that.” Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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HUN
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Recent Albert Park Form
Nat: British DoB: 16/04/1986 Wins: 0
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2001
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20
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Unfortunately for Force India, the exceptional form shown at the first winter test in Valencia was achieved with an updated version of its 2010 car. While the McLaren-Mercedes developed engine/gearbox/KERS package should be strong, the VJM04 has largely failed to impress in the subsequent three tests and may struggle to make Q3 in Melbourne, even in Adrian Sutil’s hands. The German, who again proved fast but accident prone last season, is joined by reigning DTM champion Paul di Resta after the rather undignified sacking of Tonio Liuzzi. The Scot completed laps at Albert Park as part of his third driver duties in 2010, which should help his cause considerably. Like his fellow race rookies Maldonado and Sergio Perez, di Resta’s goals will be to get out of Q1 and finish the race.
Round 1 – Australia
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Race Guide
SAUBER Kamui Kobayashi “Originally I was looking forward to Australia with great joy. Now I want to do is my best to achieve a good result, which perhaps can at least give the people in Japan a bit of hope and positive news.”
Nat: Japanese DoB: 13/09/1986 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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HUN
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ITA
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KOR
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6
11
9
8
DNF
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7
8
10
14
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
2002
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2004
2005
2006
2007
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2010
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-
-
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DNF
Sergio Perez “I have dreamed for many years of competing in my first Formula One Grand Prix, and now it is going to happen. I am excited and I am very much looking forward to it.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: Mexican DoB: 26/01/1990 Wins: 0
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-
-
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Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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THE BAGMAN’S SAY The largely unsponsored Saubers were at times suspiciously fast in pre-season testing, with rookie Sergio Perez quickest of all on the penultimate day in Barcelona. Having been abandoned by BMW and its star driver Robert Kubica, last season was tough for the Swiss outfit. Persistent unreliability combined poorly with Kobayashi’s penchant for opening lap crashes, meaning the chequered flag has to be the chief target at Albert Park. Like Maldonado at Williams, Perez comes with both backing and pedigree, having been a front-runner in British Formula 3 and GP2 before progressing to the big league with nationalistic support. The arrival of the ‘world’s richest man,’ Carlos Slim, onto Sauber’s sponsor roster has been much hyped, but the team still appears to be struggling for budget. A points finish for Kobayashi would be a solid result.
Round 1 – Australia
TORO ROSSO SEBASTIEN BUEMI “I have big expectations this season, as I have quite a lot of experience now: I know all the circuits, I know how Formula 1 works and we also have quite a lot of experience in terms of building up the car.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: Swiss DoB: 31/10/1988 Wins: 0
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HUN
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KOR
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12
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12
12
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14
10
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15
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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Jaime Alguesuari “I think it is definitely a key season for me this year. Every season is important and definitely this one is going to be very significant for myself, because it is my second full year in Formula One”
Nat: Spanish DoB: 23/03/1990 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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DNF 15 DNF 13 Recent Albert Park Form
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15
12
11
11
11
9
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THE BAGMAN’S SAY After poor results since Sebastian Vettel’s departure at the end of 2008, Toro Rosso has looked super-strong in preseason testing. Going on the winter form shown by Sebastien Buemi, Jaime Alguesuari and test-driver Daniel Ricciardo, the Red Bull ‘junior team’ should be well among the points at Albert Park - clearly the biggest improvers from last year. Such predictions should come with a warning however, as Toro Rosso’s apparent rise isn’t easily explained. As has been the case in recent seasons, the new STR is not simply a copy of Red Bull Racing’s latest weapon, and has been designed in Toro Rosso’s modest ex-Minardi base in Italy. With no new funding source apparent, it is unlikely that budgets have increased dramatically since last season suggesting results shouldn’t be all that different either. Making Q3 remains a big ask then, while points may depend on the fortunes of others.
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Race Guide
LOTUS Heikki Kovalainen “As Melbourne is now the start of the season it will be very exciting. The Australian fans are great people and the city always has a carnival atmosphere because the race is right in the middle of town.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: Finnish DoB: 19/10/1981 Wins: 1
GBR
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HUN
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ITA
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JAP
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17
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14
16
18
16
12
13
18
17
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
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13
JARNO TRULLI “It was a strange feeling the first time we used the moveable rear wing, because you suddenly have about 15 percent less drag and therefore a lot more speed. The more you use the wing the more you get used to it and its effect on the car’s behaviour.”
Nat: Italian DoB: 13/07/1974 Wins: 1
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
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16 DNF 15 19 Recent Albert Park Form
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ABU
DNF
DNF
13
DNF
19
21
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
DNF
DNF
5
7
9
16
9
DNF
3
DNS
24
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Unarguably the best of the first-year teams in 2010, Team Lotus returns this season with a revised name, a messy legal dispute over its revised name, and a brand new car. While fans try and decipher why there are two retro-liveried Lotus teams on the grid, the Norfolk based squad should be pushing its way into the midfield, with Lotus Renault, Williams, Sauber and Toro Rosso the obvious targets. Although Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli may have been hired for their development experience rather than their race craft, the new car had a far from smooth debut. Having missed the Valencia test, the drivers were constricted to installation laps at Jerez thanks to some rather major power steering issues. Speed and reliability improved considerably at Barcelona however, meaning the team’s first points are still not completely out of reach this weekend.
Round 1 – Australia
25
Race Guide
HRT Narain Karthikeyan “It was disappointing not to drive the new car in Barcelona, I’m sure the car is a step forward from last year’s. It certainly looks the business, we just have to wait until Melbourne to put it all into practice.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: Indian DoB: 14/01/1977 Wins: 0
GBR
GER
HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
-
-
-
-
15
-
-
-
-
-
Vitantonio Liuzzi “Albert Park is a track I like. Aussie fans always prove their love for motorsport and Formula 1 in particular, it would be a real shame if Melbourne decides to quit F1.” Recent Grand Prix Form
Nat: Italian DoB: 08/06/1981 Wins: 0
GBR
GER
HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
11
16
13
10
12
DNF
DNF
6
DNF
DNF
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
-
-
-
-
-
11
14
-
-
7
26
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Following on from its troubled debut season, HRT will once again roll out a completely untested car at the first round of the championship. The fact that the driver line-up was only confirmed halfway through the winter testing period gives further indication that the cash-strapped Spanish squad is unlikely to rise from the back of the grid in 2011. On the positive side, famed former Williams, BAR/Honda and Red Bull designer Geoff Willis has been in charge of the F111’s creation. Mating a Williams rear-end to the Cosworth engine is also a step forward from last year, while Tonio Liuzzi’s experience can’t hurt development. For now however, if either car finishes in Melbourne, it’ll be a miracle.
Round 1 – Australia
VIRGIN TIMO GLOCK “Albert Park is a challenging track to get on top of. Because it’s a street circuit it takes a while to rubber in and there is very little grip on Friday.”
Nat: German DoB: 18/03/1982 Wins: 0
Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
GER
HUN
BEL
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
18
18
16
18
17
DNF
14
DNF
20
DNF
Recent Albert Park Form 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
DNF
4
DNF
JEROME D’AMBROSIO “It’s kind of strange because I’ve been driving for the team since September last year and after four Friday free practice sessions and five tests since that time, I still have my F1 debut to look forward to.” Recent Grand Prix Form GBR
GER
HUN
BEL
Recent Albert Park Form
Nat: Belgian DoB: 27/12/1985 Wins: 0
ITA
SIN
JAP
KOR
BRA
ABU
-
-
-
-
-
-
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
THE BAGMAN’S SAY Virgin Racing may have been unlucky to lose 11th place in the Constructors Championship to HRT last season, but is unlikely to push the top 10 teams at Albert Park. Since entering the championship last season, Virgin has championed the cause of Computation Fluid Dynamics over traditional wind tunnel design. Its argument is somewhat debunked by the fact that Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren apparently hadn’t thought of the idea.. The reality is Virgin cannot afford the traditional research and development methods required to move up the order. Talented ex-GP2 champ Timo Glock will again wring every ounce of speed out of the Virgin package this season, while his ex-GP2 midfielder team-mate, Jerome D’Ambrosio, will do his best to hang on.
27
Race Guide
22
Round 1 – Australia
AUSTRALIAN GP TIME TABLE Thursday 24 March 1120 - 1150 1200 - 1215 1225 - 1245 1255 - 1315 1330 - 1400 1410 - 1430 1440 - 1500 1510 - 1530 1540 - 1600 1610 - 1640 1650 - 1710 1720 - 1730 1740 - 1800 1810 - 1820 1830 - 1900
V8 SUPERCARS Prizewinners Hot laps (30 mins) SHANNONS HISTORIC DEMONSTRATION (15 mins.) RED BULL RACE OFF Practice (20 mins) LEXUS CELEBRITY CHALLENGE Practice (20 mins) V8 SUPERCARS ALBERT PARK 400 Practice 1 (30 mins) FORMULA 5000 TASMAN CUP REVIVAL Practice (20 mins) PORSCHE CARRERA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP Practice (20 mins.) ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON Practice ALL CARS (20 mins.) LEXUS CELEBRITY CHALLENGE Qualifying (20 mins) V8 SUPERCARS ALBERT PARK 400 Practice 2 (30 mins) PORSCHE CARRERA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP Qualifying (20 mins.) ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON DEMONSTRATION #1 (10 mins.) FORMULA 5000 TASMAN CUP REVIVAL Qualifying (20 mins.) ON TRACK DEMONSTRATION Circuit Familiarisation laps V8 SUPERCARS ALBERT PARK 400 Qualifying (30 mins)
Friday 25 March 1100 - 1115 1125 - 1140 1145 – 1155 1205 - 1215 1230 – 1400 1420 - 1430 1435 - 1450 1500 – 1540 1630 – 1800 1820– 1910
SHANNONS HISTORIC DEMONSTRATION (15 mins.) PORSCHE CARRERA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP RACE 1 (6 laps) ON TRACK DEMONSTRATION BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER AERIAL DISPLAY FORMULA ONE PRACTICE SESSION 1 (90 mins.) THE ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON DEMONSTRATION # 2 (10 mins) LEXUS CELEBRITY CHALLENGE CIRCUIT FAMILIARISATION (15 mins) V8 SUPERCARS ALBERT PARK 400 TOP TEN SHOOTOUT QUALIFYING (40 mins) FORMULA ONE PRACTICE SESSION 2 (90 mins.) V8 SUPERCARS ALBERT PARK 400 (50 mins) RACE 1
Saturday 26 March 1100 - 1120 1135 - 1155 1210 - 1230 1245 – 1305 1330 – 1340 1400 - 1500 1515 - 1535 1545 - 1555 1605 - 1615 1630 - 1640 1700 - 1800 1820 - 1910
SHANNONS HISTORIC DEMONSTRATION (20 mins.) FORMULA 5000 TASMAN CUP REVIVAL RACE 1 (8 laps) RED BULL RACE OFF RACE 1 (5 Laps) LEXUS CELEBRITY CHALLENGE RACE 1 (5 laps) KIOWA HELICOPTER AERIAL DISPLAY FORMULA ONE PRACTICE SESSION 3 (60 mins) PORSCHE CARRERA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP RACE 2 (8 laps) THE ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON DEMONSTRATION # 3 (10 mins) ON TRACK DEMONSTRATION BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER AERIAL DISPLAY FORMULA ONE QUALIFYING SESSION (60 mins.) V8 SUPERCARS ALBERT PARK 400 (50 mins) RACE 2
Sunday 27 March 1100 - 1115 1125 – 1145 1155 – 1205 1205 - 1215 1216 - 1225 1235 - 1255 1310 - 1400 1415 - 1430 1440 - 1450 1500 - 1510 1520 – 1530 1530 – 1550 1540 - 1550 1610 - 1620 1650 – 1652 1652 1700 - 1900 1900 - 2100
SHANNONS HISTORIC Parade (15 mins.) FORMULA 5000 TASMAN CUP REVIVAL RACE 2 (8 Laps) V8 SUPERCARS DRIVERS PARADE AND CAMS NATIONAL WINNERS PARADE LAP LEXUS CELEBRITY CHALLENGE DRIVERS PARADE KIDS JUNIOR GP SPRINT – MAIN STRAIGHT PORSCHE CARRERA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP RACE 3 (8 laps) V8 SUPERCAR ALBERT PARK 400 RACE 3 (50 mins) LEXUS CELEBRITY CHALLENGE RACE 2 (5 Laps) ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON DEMONSTRATION # 4 SIR JACK BRABHAM & ALAN JONES PARADE LAP ON TRACK DEMONSTRATION FORMULA ONE DRIVERS’ PARADE KIOWA HELICOPTER AERIAL DISPLAY (10 mins.) BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER AERIAL DISPLAY (10 mins.) NATIONAL ANTHEM QANTAS JET LOW FLYOVER 2011 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - 58 LAPS (or 120 mins.) CONCERT ACTIVITY
29
Race Guide
PAST AUSTRALIAN GP WINNERS 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985
30
Jenson Button Jenson Button Lewis Hamilton Kimi Räikkönen Fernando Alonso Giancarlo Fisichella Michael Schumacher David Coulthard Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher Eddie Irvine Mika Häkkinen David Coulthard Damon Hill Damon Hill Nigel Mansell Ayrton Senna Gerhard Berger Ayrton Senna Nelson Piquet Thierry Boutsen Alain Prost Gerhard Berger Alain Prost Keke Rosberg
McLaren-Mercedes Brawn-Mercedes McLaren-Mercedes Ferrari Renault Renault Ferrari McLaren-Mercedes Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari McLaren-Mercedes McLaren-Mercedes Williams-Renault Williams-Renault Williams-Renault McLaren-Ford McLaren-Honda McLaren-Honda Benetton-Ford Williams-Renault McLaren-Honda Ferrari McLaren-TAG Williams-Honda
Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Albert Park Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide
Races 3/4 – Adelaide
23
Race Guide
32
Round 1 – Australia
AUSTRALIAN GP SUPPORTS
V8 Supercars The V8 Supercars will run pitstop races at the Australian Grand Prix for the first time this weekend, holding three 130km contests across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While remaining a non-points scoring event, a total prize pool of $500,000 will help to incentivise the teams and drivers. The newly-branded Albert Park 400 will see both the soft and hard tyres used during each race - the first time that the softer rubber has been seen at the venue. With rival Holden squads TeamVodafone and the Toll Holden Racing Team having taken two wins each across the opening four races of 2011, Albert Park is set to see a continuation of what promises to be a yearlong battle. Carrera Cup The Australian Carrera Cup Championship springs back into life at Albert Park after a two-year hiatus. The Porsche one-make class boasts a strong 23 car line-up for its return, headed by five-time Australian Touring Car Champion Mark Skaife, who will drive the championship’s Guest Car. Kiwi Porsche specialists Craig Baird, Daniel Gaunt and Jonny Reid are also expected to be on the pace, alongside ex-V8 Supercar drivers Steven Richards and Michael Patrizi, and reigning Australian Formula 3 Champion Ben Barker. Formula 5000 The spectacular and fearsome sounding Formula 5000 open wheelers, which raced from the late 1960’s through to 1982, will again be reliving their glory days around the Albert Park circuit. The awe-inspiring cars will descend upon Melbourne from New Zealand, UK, USA and from around Australia, with models including McLaren, Lola, McRae, Elfin and Chevron on show for the die-hard fans. Lexus Celebrity Challenge The Celebrity Challenge race is back at the Albert Park Circuit. A host of local celebrities will be pitted against one another across all four days of the event as they race for bragging rights to be the best celebrity race driver in the land. It will be the launch of the Lexus CT200h with 27 of the Hybrid vehicles competing on track.
33
Race Guide
34