The Australian Grand Prix

- Published on Dec 19th, 2010 by The Badger

Melbourne (1996-present)

If you came to F1 between the mid-nineties and 2009 the Melbourne-based Albert Park became synonymous with the start of the new F1 season. As such it's a venue with good memories for many of us, the place where we got the first real sight of the cars and drivers who'd keep us entertained for the next seven months or so.

Being the first race Melbourne has often been a good barometer for the campaign ahead. In nine of the 13 years it opened the season it was won by the eventual champion. The unfortunate men to win it but not take the title were Eddie Irvine, David Coulthard (twice) and Giancarlo Fisichella.

In 2006 it ran third due to a clash with the Commonwealth Games and, in one of the great travesties of modern F1, it has now been replaced by Bahrain as the season opener. That special joy of getting a first glimpse of the new crop of F1 cars in action with bleary, sleep-deprived eyes was now lost until political unrest caused the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix to be cancelled. As such, and perhaps for the last time, Australia will open the 2011 season.

Winners 1996-present

2010 - Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes)
2009 - Jenson Button (Brawn-Mercedes)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
2006 - Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2005 - Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault)
2004 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2003 - David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes)
2002 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2001 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2000 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
1998 - Mika Hakkinen (McLaren-Mercedes)
1997 - David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes)
1996 - Damon Hill (Williams-Renault)

Adelaide (1985-1995)

Australia gained the chance to host a Grand Prix in 1985, and the temporary street track built in Adelaide soon became popular with teams and drivers due to its challenging nature and end-of-season party atmosphere. Keke Rosberg took his final career win at the track’s inaugural race in a Williams. The 1986 race was to be a thriller, with it being the first time three drivers were in the frame for the title at the finale. Britain’s Nigel Mansell looked to have it in the bag when his tyre exploded at 180mph, handing the lead of the championship to Williams team-mate Nelson Piquet. The team then decided to bring the Brazilian in as a precaution, which promoted McLaren’s Alain Prost to the lead, and ultimately, the title.

A year later Gerhard Berger would win from pole to lead home a Ferrari 1-2, the Italian marques only win at the track. 1988 was McLaren’s year of dominance, and Alain Prost won again ahead of team-mate Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian would celebrate his first World Title following the race though, after the “discard rule” meant only the best eleven results counted. Thierry Boutsen won in 1989 in heavy rain after a collision on the first lap involving several cars meant it was restarted. Many of the usual front-runners also ended up retiring due to the treacherous conditions.

Nelson Piquet capitalised on Ayrton Senna’s retirement in 1990 to take his penultimate career win in a Benetton. In 1991, the race was notable for being stopped after only 16 laps (and then counted back to 14 laps) due to the torrential rain. Ayrton Senna won the race from pole, and due to the short nature of the race was only awarded half the normal points. 1992 was meant to be the big send-off for Nigel Mansell before heading to IndyCar the following season, but a clash with Senna put both of them out of the race. Gerhard Berger would grab all the glory instead, with the final win of the McLaren-Honda partnership.

1993 will be looked back upon for two reasons; Ayrton Senna’s final win and Alain Prost’s final race. On the podium, the Brazilian was so overcome that his old rival was retiring he openly hugged him on the rostrum. At the time no-one knew how poignant a moment it would turn out to be.

1994 brought another title decider to the streets of Adelaide, this time with Michael Schumacher leading Damon Hill by a single point. Early in the race Schumacher ran wide while leading and clipped a wall, driving back onto the racing line. Hill took his chance to pass the German, only for the two to collide and Schumacher being eliminated on the spot. Hill tried to continue, but his suspension was too badly damaged, and Schumacher celebrated his first World Title on the track side. Nigel Mansell, drafted back in to Williams after the tragic loss of Senna earlier in the season, took his last career win.

On the Friday before the 1995 (and final) race, Mika Hakkinen crashed heavily during practice and needed an emergency tracheotomy by the side of the track. The Finn would only miss that race and made a full recovery ready for the 1996 season. On the Sunday, Damon Hill would win convincingly, lapping the whole field twice while all of his usual rivals fell by the wayside. Team-mate David Coulthard had the most embarrassing elimination, skidding into the inner pit-wall while driving in for his stop.

Winners 1985-1995

1995 - Damon Hill (Williams-Renault)
1994 - Nigel Mansell (Williams-Renault)
1993 - Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Ford)
1992 - Gerhard Berger (McLaren-Honda)
1991 - Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Honda)
1990 - Nelson Piquet (Benetton-Ford)
1989 - Thierry Boutsen (Williams-Renault)
1988 - Alain Prost (McLaren-Honda)
1987 - Gerhard Berger (Ferrari)
1986 - Alain Prost (McLaren-TAG)
1985 - Keke Rosberg (Williams-Honda)