Australian Grand Prix Preview

Atlas F1

Australian Grand Prix Preview

Melbourne, Australia
7th - 9th March 1997
by Paul Rushworth, England

Lap Guide
The Albert Park circuit in Melbourne is a great place to run a Grand Prix. Circling around the central lake, the road portions of the circuit are used year round - but make no mistake, this is a dedicated F1 track. With plenty of room for run-off space, this means that there are some particularly daunting 150mph sweeps around the back of the circuit. There are also several good overtaking opportunities - but only if you're brave. The winner here fully deserves to go on and be World Champion.

Circuit length: 3.274miles / 5.271 km - Race length: 58 laps (189.892 miles / 305.718 km)

Melbourne, Australia

What happened last year?

The result of the 1997 Australian Grand Prix may have been a shock for many and a disappointment for others, but never the less, David Coulthard and the McLaren-Mercedes team win was one of the most popular in recent times.

For a full review of the race, Click here.

Race Results

  1997 Grand Prix of Australia
1. David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes 1:30.28.718s
2. Michael Schumacher Ferrari + 20.046s
3. Mika Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes + 22.177s
4. Gerhard Berger Benetton-Renault + 22.841s
5. Olivier Panis Prost-Mugen Honda + 1:00.308s
6. Nicola Larini Sauber-Petronas + 1:36.040s

Pole position:Jacques Villeneuve Williams-Renault1m 29.369s
Fastest lap:Heinz-Harald FrentzenWilliams-Renault1:30.585s

 

The Teams

For a detailed analysis of teams and their chances both in Australia and for the 1998 season, click here.


Paul Rushworth
Send comments to: rushworth@atlasf1.com