The 2012 Australian Grand Prix was not only a great race to open the new season, but a great race in itself with plenty of proper racing and cars battling for position right up to the chequered flag.  We had drivers making mistakes, cars breaking down and some excellent overtaking manoeuvres along with some not so excellent – the key elements of good grand prix racing.

Here are some of our favourite photos from the race and the grand prix weekend for you to enjoy – first up, the 2012 F1 school photo (you can see previous school photos here)

Formula One World Championship

Local support for Webber, possibly from his youngest fan in Melbourne?

during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit on March 18, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.

As ever, hundreds of thousands of fans packed the Albert Park circuit to see the first race of 2012

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The Australian GP is set against such a beautiful backdrop – as Formula 1 should be.

2012 Australian Grand Prix SundayAlbert Park, Melbourne, Australia18th March 2012.World Copyright:Steven Tee/LAT Photographicref: Digital Image _A8C3683

The Button camp – Jenson with his dad and his girlfriend Jessica

www.hoch-zwei.net

And here’s some more of our favourite pictures from the weekend: