McLaren: Australian GP raising the curtain on 2012

Press Release:

Albert Park Facts & Stats

Between 1985 and '95, the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide became the venue for F1's seasonal finale. However, since moving to Melbourne in 1996, Australia has become F1's usual curtain-raiser, and its laidback and welcoming vibe make it the perfect location once again to kick off the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Situated in the seaside suburb of St Kilda, Albert Park is a temporary street track that invariably produces unpredictable and exciting racing. The reasons for this are manifold: the grand prix circus arrives after a winter of hibernation with form still uneven and difficult to read; factor in the dusty and constantly evolving track surface, the proximity of the barriers, a series of challenging high-speed corners and the constant threat of autumnal rain showers and you have all the ingredients for a classic!