Length : 5.3

Profile :
Time difference: GMT +11
No of Laps: 58
Race Distance: 307.574 km
Lap Record: 1:24.125 - M Schumacher (2004)

Directions :
Located in the city centre of Melbourne in the attractive setting of Albert Park. The closest airport is Tullamarine Airport, which lies 21km to the north west of the city.

Address :
Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
Albert Park
220 Albert Road
South Melbourne
Tel: (61) 3 9258 7100
Fax: (61) 3 9699 3727

History :
Melbourne fought hard to win the right to stage the Australian Grand Prix, overcoming stern protests from the environmental lobby, and provided a memorable first race in the superb settings of Albert Park.

Facilities are excellent, and novel; a "shuttle boat" moves photographers around the vantage points using the major central lake.

Albert Park staged racing in the 1950s , including two events called the Australian Grand Prix but not counting towards the World Championship.

The circuit has an interesting combination of fast, flowing corners, and a tight "hairpin" type bend system onto the start-finish straight.

The 2009 race will take place later than usual with a 5pm local time start after organisers compromised with Bernie Ecclestone, who wanted Australia to become a night race.

Along with the new timeslot came a new contract with Melbourne set to host the Australian GP until 2015.