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MELBOURNE
Track length
: 5.303 km
Number of laps
: 58 (307.574 Km)
Top speed : 325 Km/h
Best lap : K. Raikkonen - 1'27''724
(2003, McLaren)
Record Pole: R. Barrichello - 1'25''843
(2002, Ferrari)
2003 Pole: M. Schumacher - 1'27''173
(Ferrari)
2003 Podium
1. D. Coulthard
2. J. Montoya
3. K. Raikkonen
Melbourne ran its first Formula One race in 1996, after taking the
Australian venue from Adelaide. With this maiden race, also came the
shift of the Australian race to the beginning of the Formula One
calendar. The transition didn't come smoothly, with many disruptions
from protesters, which still carry on today, although the numbers have
greatly dwindled.
The Melbourne track, is contained in a park, the layout smooth and
flowing, with no 90 degree street corners to break the speed. It runs
clockwise around a lake, and the scenery is breathtaking. All the
drivers love racing there.
Damon Hill, still all charged up from his victory in the closing race of
1995, continued where he left off, winning the maiden victory, after his
new Williams team-mate, Jacques Villeneuve, had to slow at the end of
the race with engine problems.
1997, Melbourne's' second year, Jacques Villeneuve looked set to win
again for Williams, after dominating qualifying, by a massive margin,
but he was taken out on the first corner by Eddie Irvine, and so David
Coulthard raced on to McLarens first win since Adelaide in 1993. This
race also gave Damon Hill an early indication that his run with the
Arrows team, would not be smooth, as his car coasted to a halt on the
parade lap, preventing him from participating in his first title
defending race.
1998, who of us will ever forget the season opener? A race that was won
with such total dominance, and under a huge cloud. Once again David
Coulthard looked set to win, after teammate, Mika Hakkinen, lost so much
time in the pits. Learning of the Fins predicament, David slowed to let
Mika pass, honouring a gentleman's agreement the two had made before the
race. Fans all over the world went wild.
1999 saw Eddie Irvine take his first ever GP win for Ferrari and
although the Irishman had left for the Jaguar team for the 2000
championship, it was another Ferrari victory, this time a one two with
Michael Schumacher claiming his first ever Australian win and new
teammate Rubens Barrichello coming in second.
The Australian race was marred by the tragic death of a safety marshal
after a collision between the BAR of Jacques Villeneuve and the Williams
of Ralf Schumacher. Michael Schumacher went on to take his second
victory in the land down under, making it a hat trick in 2002. Being at
the start of the season, the track is well known as a debut for many
rookies, and local driver Mark Webber was immortalized when he crossed
the line in his debut race in fifth place last year.
David Coulthard won only one race in 2003, here in Australia. The
McLaren driver finished in front of Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya in
second place and Kimi Raikkonen in third position.
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Created and Maintained By Carla Piccola
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