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The 2015 Formula One season is here as the Australian Grand Prix roars into life at Albert Park this weekend.
This article will detail the start of all the race and practice sessions (the main race begins at 4pm AEDT on Sunday), as well as the broadcast options for those wanting to watch online (live streaming and television).
This weekend marks the 20th race in Melbourne and the 31st since it was held in Adelaide for the first time in 1985.
Overall it is the 80th edition of the Australian Grand Prix with the race being held in every state since 1928 when it was held as a national race.
Since it has become a Formula One race, no Australian has won the GP in his home country.
Daniel Ricciardo got closest last year, finishing second, before it was stripped from him after the race by the FIA.
Last year’s race would be dominated by Nico Rosberg who joined his father as an Australian Grand Prix winner.
He will be looking for back to back wins this weekend.
So who will win this weekend? Here is all the information you need to know about the race.
Key race information
Venue: Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia.
Track Length: 5.303km
Race Length: 58 laps = 307.574km
Lap Record – Michael Schumacher – 1:24.125 (2004)
Previous Winners: 2014 – Nico Rosberg, 2013 – Kimi Raikkonen
TV: Fox Sports and Channel Ten
Start times and weekend schedule (local time)
Practice 1 (Friday, 12:30 to 2pm)
Practice 2 (Friday, 4:30pm to 6:00pm)
Practice 3 (Saturday, 2pm to 3pm)
Qualifying (Saturday, 5pm to 6pm)
Race: (Sunday, 4pm to 6:00pm)
TV schedule and live stream (check local guides – time in AEDT)
Channel Ten and One –
Friday – 11:30am – 7:30pm (ONE)
Saturday – 10:30am – 6:30pm (ONE andamp; TEN)
Sunday – 10:00am – 6:30pm (ONE andamp; TEN)
Fox Sports:
V8 Supercars – Race 1 (Fri 11:00 – 11:30), Race 2 (Fri 2:25 to 2:55), Race 3 (Sat 3:20 – 3:55), Race 4 (Sun 1:15 – 1:50)
Formula One–
Friday – 12:00 – 2:15 and 4:15 – 6:15
Saturday – 1:45 – 3:10 and 4 – 6
Sunday – 2:30 – 7:10
Fox Sports’ coverage will be the same coverage as Sky Sports in Britain. Network Ten has the exclusive rights for the Porsche Carrera Cup.
Can anyone beat Mercedes, and can Nico Rosberg go back to back at the Australian Grand Prix?
Mercedes are once again the team to beat in 2015.
Last year they dominated the field, winning the drivers and constructors championship, and 16 of the 19 races. If pre-season testing is any guide then they will be hard to beat once again.
For the first few days, they focussed on long runs, and race pace. On the final few days of testing, after hiding their speed, Mercedes showed their hand and were over eight tenths quicker than the rest of the field. That is scary heading into this season.
While other teams have improved from last year, Mercedes look to have done the same as well. Australia will reveal the true gap between the teams but it looks like Mercedes will be favourites once again.
Teams might be closer, compared to last year, but the Silver Arrows are still ahead of the field by a long way. Based on that, Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton look good for this weekend. If Rosberg wins he will be the first person since Jenson Button in 2010 to win back to back races.
He has the car to win this weekend but needs to execute qualifying and the race like last year when he won.
Rosberg can go back to back this weekend but will face a big challenge from histeammate.
How will Dan Ricciardo go?
The hopes of the nation once again go on the shoulders of Dan Ricciardo.
2015 is all about revenge for the Western Australian, after finishing second last year, and having it stripped from him by the FIA.
After the disappointment of Australia, and the pace of the Mercedes, Dan responded impressively by winning three races and finishing in third in the championship. He was the best driver outside of the Mercedes pair.
It is clear, after 2014, that Ricciardo is one of the best drivers in the field. As long as he has a competitive car then Ricciardo is in contention for the win at any race he attends.
Heading into Australia, and the 2015 season, that is the key for the Australian. If the car is competitive then he can become the first Australian to win a Formula One race at home. With Renault doing a lot of work on their engine in the off-season, and Red Bull having a better pre-season than 2014, Ricciardo is in contention this weekend.
Here’s hoping the Australian can break the drought.
What other categories are on this weekend?
Formula One isn’t the only category on this weekend, with V8 Supercars, and the Porsche Carrera Cup on at Albert Park over the four days of the event.
Out of those two only the Carrera Cup is raced for championship points.
This weekend is the second round of the championship with Steven Richards looking to extend his lead in the title race after winning round 1 in Adelaide.
In the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge, for elite drivers, Tony Bates will look to extend his lead after winning all three races in Adelaide.
For the V8 Supercars, this weekend is a chance to have a test session, and impress on an international stage with Formula One nearby.
With four races over the weekend, it is also a good opportunity to have a race win.
New Zealand has dominated over the last two and a bit years with Kiwi drivers winning the last nine races in Melbourne.
Can they continue the streak this weekend? Or will Australia fight back?
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