30 Years of Albert Park: The best of F1 action in Melbourne

This weekend marks 30 years since the 1996 Australian Grand Prix, the first time Formula 1 roared around Albert Park. To celebrate three decades of Formula 1 in Melbourne, it’s time to look back at some of my favourite Australian Grand Prix’s around this iconic track.

1996: The start of the story

1996 wouldn’t go down as the most exciting grand prix, but nonetheless, it remains important not only as the debut of F1 in Melbourne but for a few other reasons. This was the first time Australia would move from the season finale to the season opener, a spot it has held for most of its 29 races to date.

It was also the debut of Jacques Villeneuve, who, with Williams, claimed pole position. He lined up next to teammate Damon Hill, with the Ferraris of Eddie Irvine and Michael Schumacher in tow. The Grand Prix is remembered most for Martin Brundle’s spectacular barrel roll at turn three on the opening lap. At the front, the more experienced Williams of Hill got past his rookie teammate for the win after a poor start, with Irvine coming home on the podium.

2002: The home hero hits gold

The 2002 Australian Grand Prix will go down as a favourite for many Aussie F1 fans. Qualifying followed normal procedures for the time, with the Ferraris leading the pack. Rubens Barichello qualified 5 thousandths of a second faster than reigning world champion Michael Schumacher, with Williams Ralf Schumacher and McLaren’s Mika Hakkinen the only drivers to get within a second of the Scuderia.

The race, however, was chaos. A real war of attrition due to eight cars retiring on the opening lap. Barichello braked early, then Ralf Schumacher had expected, catching him off guard and colliding with the Ferrari’s rear wing. The Williams sailed over Barichello, grazing his helmet before crashing on the inside of turn one.

The subsequent spinning of Barichello saw a whole host of cars collide. Coulthard lost his lead due to an electrical fault distracting him, allowing Michael Schumacher to sail into the lead with ease. But it was the story further down the field that was catching the fans’ attention that day. Mark Webber in a Minardi was in the points, attempting to hold off Toyota’s Mika Salo. Webber’s car was already in major mechanical stress, but when Salo drove over coolant left by Jenson Button, the Aussie got home, scoring two points. Such was the joy that Webber was hoisted onto the podium to celebrate in front of his home fans.

2014: Ricciardo rues the rules

With Webber’s retirement, Daniel Ricciardo, another Australian, took to the Red Bull seat, and hopes were high. The Honey Badger qualified on provisional pole, and the crowd was as loud as I’ve ever heard around this track. Unfortunately, Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes went three tenths quicker at Albert Park, to the disappointment of Albert Park. The race was headline for two major reasons.

Debutant for McLaren, Kevin Magnussen scored his first podium in his first ever F1 race, and Daniel Ricciardo was the first Australian to podium at the Australian Grand Prix, finishing second. Well, not really. He was later disqualified due to exceeding the maximum allowed fuel flow. To this day, no Australian has ever finished on the podium at their home event.

2023: New regulations cause carnage

2023 saw new track changes introduced to improve the racing around Albert Park. The chicane at turns nine and 10 was removed to create a long straight down the back end of the track. A fourth DRS zone was also briefly implemented. 2023 was the first home race for young gun Oscar Piastri, who was driving for McLaren. Unfortunately, a poor car saw him qualify in 16th. This Aus GP was memorable for having the most red flags in a F1 race- three times in a single grand prix. The race was red-flagged on lap 55 after Magnussen collided with the outside wall at turn 2.

The subsequent restart caused a huge crash with Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso colliding at the front, and the two Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, in their first race as teammates, took each other out. This led to the bizarre sight of the race finishing under a formation lap with Max Verstappen taking the win ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin. Alonso was promoted back up the order after the red flag, leaving Carlos Sainz relegated after penalties. It also allowed Oscar Piastri to come home in eighth, scoring the first points of his F1 career.

2026 brings yet another new set of regulations, and with the pecking order yet to be dictated, the next Australian Grand Prix could turn into a classic.

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