Welcome to the Albert Park Circuit, the picturesque setting for the Australian Grand Prix, and a staple of the Formula 1 calendar — pandemic aside — since 1996.
Located in the heart of Melbourne, this circuit has a unique backdrop in the calendar, combining parkland and lake views with a cityscape.
Its semi-street circuit layout provides high-speed straights, tight chicanes, and demanding corners that feel like a dedicated track despite the public having access when F1 isn't in town.
Circuit Overview:
The Albert Park Circuit winds through 5.278 km (3.280 miles) of Melbourne's scenic park of the same name, featuring 14 turns that offer a mix of high and low-speed corners.
Albert Park's layout encourages close racing, with several overtaking opportunities early in the lap, notably into Turn 1 and Turn 3, where heavy braking zones allow wheel-to-wheel action.
2021 saw a major change in the second sector, swapping a slow-speed right-hander at Turn 9 into a sweeping run alongside the lake and into the needle-threading Turn 11-12 chicane before completing the lap around the slower-speed Sector 3.
Fast Facts
Circuit Name: Albert Park Circuit
First Grand Prix: 1996 (first Australian GP: 1985, Adelaide)
Circuit Length: 5.278 km (3.280 miles)
Race Distance: 306.124 km (190.217 miles)
Lap Record: 1:20.235 (Sergio Perez, Red Bull, 2023)
2025 Support Series: Formula 2, Formula 3
Alex Albon Last Year
Fastest Lap: 1:21.618 (Lap 46)
Qualifying: P12 (1:17.167)
Tyre Strategy: Medium-Hard-Hard
Carlos Sainz Last Year
Fastest Lap: 1:20.031 (Lap 48)
Qualifying: P2 (1:16.185)
Tyre Strategy: Medium-Hard-Hard
Williams Racing's Australian GP History
Best Finish: P1 (Keke Rosberg, 1985 / Thierry Boutsen, 1989 / Nigel Mansell, 1994 / Damon Hill, 1995 & 1996)
Best Qualifying: P1 (Nigel Mansell, 1986, 1992 & 1994 / Damon Hill, 1995 / Jacques Villeneuve, 1996 & 1997)
Alex's Best Finish: P10 (2022)
Carlos' Best Finish: P1 (2024)
Williams Racing Highlight: Alex took his first point in Williams overalls at the 2022 Australian GP after running his hard tyres for 57 of the race's 58 laps.
Australia At A Glance
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)