Albert Park Circuit
The Albert Park Circuit is a motorsport street circuit around Albert Park Lake in the suburb of Albert Park in Melbourne. It is used annually as a circuit for the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, the supporting Supercars Championship Melbourne SuperSprint and other associated support races. The circuit has an FIA Grade 1 licence.
Albert Park Circuit (2021–present) | |
Interactive track map | |
| Location | Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria (Australia) |
|---|---|
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) AEDT (UTC+11:00 DST) |
| Coordinates | 37°50′59″S 144°58′6″E |
| Capacity | ~125,000 (44,000 seating) |
| FIA Grade | 1 |
| Opened | 20 November 1953 Re-opened: 7 March 1996 |
| Closed | 30 November 1958 |
| Major events | Current: Formula One Australian Grand Prix (1996–2019, 2022–present) Former: Australian Drivers' Championship (1957–1958) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2021–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 5.278 km (3.280 miles) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:19.813 ( Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, 2024, F1) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1996–2020) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 5.303 km (3.296 miles) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:24.125 ( Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004, 2004, F1) |
| Original Circuit (1953–1958) | |
| Length | 5.027 km (3.124 miles) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 1:50.0 ( Stirling Moss, Cooper T45, 1958, Formula Libre) |
Although the entire track consists of normally public roads, each sector includes medium to high-speed characteristics more commonly associated with dedicated racetracks facilitated by grass and gravel run-off safety zones that are reconstructed annually. However, the circuit also has characteristics of a street circuit's enclosed nature due to concrete barriers annually built along the Lakeside Drive curve, in particular, where run-off is not available due to the proximity of the lake shore.