Right then you lot. I am excited for the start of the new season.

So I reckon we are all ready to launch the first Race Thread of the season.

With less than a week until Friday Practice begins, I present the start of our Race discussion.


Australian GP 2013: Albert Park, Melbourne.

15th-17th March.

58 Laps

Previous Winners at Albert Park:

1996: Damon Hill - Williams
1997: David Coulthard - Mclaren
1998: Mika Hakkinen - Mclaren
1999: Eddie Irvine - Ferrari
2000: Michael Schumacher - Ferrari
2001: Michael Schumacher - Ferrari
2002: Michael Schumacher - Ferrari
2003: David Coulthard - Mclaren
2004: Michael Schumacher - Ferrari
2005: Giancarlo Fisichella - Renault
2006: Fernando Alonso - Mclaren
2007: Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari
2008: Lewis Hamilton - Mclaren
2009: Jenson Button - Brawn
2010: Jenson Button - Mclaren
2011: Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull
2012: Jenson Button - Mclaren

Michael Schumacher 4 Wins
Jenson Button 3 Wins
David Coulthard 2 Wins
Damon Hill 1 Win
Mika Hakkinen 1 Win
Eddie Irvine 1 Win
Giancarlo Fisichella 1 Win
Fernando Alonso 1 Win
Kimi Raikkonen 1 Win
Lewis Hamilton 1 Win
Sebastian Vettel 1 Win

Ferrari 6 Wins
Mclaren 6 Wins
Renault 2 Wins
Brawn 1 Win
Red Bull 1 Win
Williams 1 Win


* So looking at these stats Jenson Button owns this place as no one else on the Grid has won it twice.

While its interesting that Ferrari & Mclaren each have 6 wins.

Also out of the 17 races at Albert Park, 11 of the winners went on to win the title, with 6 not doing so.

Driver Line Ups:

Red Bull: Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
Ferrari: Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa
Mclaren: Jenson Button and Sergio Perez
Lotus: Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg
Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez
Force India: Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil
Williams: Pastor Maldonado and Valtterri Bottas
Toro Rosso: Daniel Ricciardo and Jean Eric Vergne
Caterham: Charles Pic and Eric Van der Garde
Marussia: Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi.

* 5 Rookies for 2013.


So hope you enjoyed this little intro.

Now its time to get discussing the issues for the start of F1 2013.