Albert Park is an place with rest in the middle of Melbourne. Exept when there is the Formula 1 weekend. Then the road is changed into a streetcircuit. There have been tree F1-races and Albert Park has shown it is a fast racetrack. The cicruit is very populair by the drivers, the press and the public. The tribunes got names like Prost, Lauda and Stewart. But also Alan Jones. He has a Australian pasport and was worldchampion in 1980.

Inheriting the mantle of Australian Grand Prix host from the popular Adelaide circuit in 1996, Melbourne had its work cut out to match its predecessor. It says a lot for the Australian organisers that the new circuit is held in as much esteem as the old, although, being based in parkland it continually faces threat from environmental protestors.

The venue had a grand prix history prior to the 1996 event, with the likes of Stirling Moss competing in Australia in the 1950s. The phenomenal success of the reborn Australian GP in Adelaide led to a battle between the two cities for the right to host the race, with the City of Churches losing out to its bigger rival.

Although the Melbourne track is officially a street circuit, it differs from most of its American equivalents - and even Adelaide - by featuring few right-angled corners. Consequently, lap times are low and the track is considered quick by the drivers.

A tight chicane is the first obstacle to be overcome at the start, and was the scene of the infamous first lap accident involving Eddie Irvine, Jacques Villeneuve and Johnny Herbert in 1997. The next corner - a tight right hander is also better known for the incidents it has witnessed, including Martin Brundle's aerial display of the same year. From this point on, the circuit sweeps quickly around the Albert Park lake and watersports centre, taking in corners named after world champions Clark, Ascari, Stewart and Prost.

The race has yet to feature a repeat winner, with its first four races going to Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Mika Hakkinen and Eddie irvine respectively.

Australia has 2 worldchampions; Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones. Till 1985 Australia didn't have organised a Formula 1-race. The first race was in 1985 and Keke Rosberg won that race. And Niki Laudas last race. Damon Hill won the last race in Adelaide and the first in Melbourne. In 1997 David Coulthard gave McLaren the first victory sinds 1993. In 1998 he gave the victory to his teammate Mika Hakkinen.