Australia has been a great motorsport patron for years and a country, which has been hosting motorsport events since the inception of Formula 1 dating to 1928. Australia has been one venue where motorsport is celebrated a lot and has contributed with 79 races, be it Adelaide (1985-1995) or Philip Island or the current venue of Melbourne (Albert Park)
The island country has also contributed with a lot of quality drivers and some of them have even became world champions like Jack Braham (1959,1960,1966) and Alan Jones (1980)
In this long journey, the world has witnessed some really mind-blowing battles at Melbourne’s Albert Park and Adelaide Street Circuit and let’s look at some of the best Australian GPs.
5) 1986 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Back in 86, Australia used to host the last grand prix. 1986 was one such year which had a tri dreadlock situation and subsequently ended up in a dramatic way as a great upset for Mansell fans.
In the year 1986, Nigel Mansell was leading in the WDC race with 70 points followed by Alain Prost with 64 points who was closely followed by Nelson Piquet who was on 63 points.
Though Mansell managed to hold Ayrton Senna till first corner, Senna skilfully overtook him followed by Piquet and Keke Rosburg.
Later Senna lost to Piquet at the end of Dequattive Terrace.
The defining moment in the race was during lap 32 and it was a genuine surprisingly positive turn of events for Prost.
It looked as if his title hopes were done with, however Prost being Prost, he hung around and masterfully planned the win.
The Goodyear tyre experts reviewed his tyres, saw that they were in great condition and they could achieve the finish of the race without having to stop to fit new tyres.
On lap 64, Nigel Mansell in his Williams-Honda passed Philippe Alliot’s Ligier, Mansell’s left-rear tyre exploded but Mansell showed exceptional control and halted the car at safe corner of track making Alain Prost win that year’s World Driving Championship.
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4) 1996 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
The 1996 Australian grand prix can also be considered as one of the most ‘edge of the seat’ race of all time
The grid at debutant track of Albert Park, Melbourne formed an all Williams front row with Villeneuve (who debuted that race after winning the 1995 CART Championship and the 1995 Indianapolis) and Damon Hill.
As soon as the lights went out Damon was caught and was passed by the Ferrari’s. At the back Alesi cut across before Heikkinen and Barrichello to take the corner and started a chain response of simultaneous braking as drivers tried hard to abstain from clonking into each other and evident lyenough David Coulthard turned left and went across into the Sauber.
The Sauber braked heavily but behind him Martin Brundle failed to react and despite heavy breaking caught the rears of Jordon and Coulthard and barrel rolled into the sand trap at turn 3 and thus the race had to restart.
After the restart, Brundle again spun with Pedro Diniz and despite having a good start Schumacher retired after a break issue.
Jacques Villeneuve dominated for most of the race however lost lead to Hill after an oil leak. In that GP Hill equalled his father’s overall number of wins.
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3) 1997 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
The 1997 Australian Grand Prix started with an early retirement of Damon Hill after his throttle jammed and he came to a halt. Further Eddie Irvine retired along with Villeneuve and Herbert after crashing into each other at the third corner.
Interestingly enough Williams went for a 2- stop strategy while others were going for single stop strategy
. The retirements followed with Jos Verstappen spinning on lap 2 and later the two Jordon drivers also retired as Ralph Schumacher was from suffering gearbox problem and Giancarlo Fisichella spun while passing Barrichello.
As the race continued. Jean Alesi retired from the race after running out of fuel. In the laps that tailed Heinz managed to close the gap on Coulthard and Schumacher yet it was not as sensational as one may have anticipated as he lost a lot of time in traffic.
In the ending laps, David Coulthard managed to hold his position and won his second career win and it was McLaren’s first win since Senna won the 1993 Australian Grand Prix.
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2) 2002 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
The 2002 Australian Grand Prix started with drama in the opening lap as Ralph Schumacher launched himself after hitting Rubens Barrichello in the rear at Turn 1.
This front-line commotion caused a chain of accidents which saw Heidfeld, Massa, Button, Fisichella, McNish and Olivier Panis eliminated along with Barrichello and Ralph and thus the safety car continued to lead for next 5 laps with Coulthard leading the race and Jarno Trulli following him who was followed by Juan Pablo Montoya.
However, Montoya lost his position to Michael Schumacher while trying to overtake Trulli. After 3 laps, Michael took 2nd position from Jarno after he crashed into a wall, forcing the safety car to come out. David’s gearbox problem forced him to leave pole to Michael.
Michael Schumacher started his season with a great win and home boy Mark Webber took his first points
13 retirements make this the most memorable race among Australian GPs
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1) 2008 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
This race started with a good note for Lewis Hamilton who lost the championship in 2007.
As soon as the lights went out Lewis Hamilton started leading the pack defending from Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel and pulling away slowly.
Massa who was at 3rd position spun at turn 1, thus costing him an early pit stop, meanwhile Nelson Piquet Jr. touched Italian Giancarlo Fisichella at the starting corner, putting Fisichella out of the race.
In another incident at turn three Mark Webber, Anthony Davidson, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel met up, putting each of the four out of the race which led to the safet car coming out. As soon as safety car went out Jarno Trulli retired following an electrical problem.
On lap 29, Massa collided with David Coulthard and both retired with safety car out for the 2nd time. Interestingly only 7 cars could make it to the end with Lewis Hamilton winning the inaugurating race of Formula 1 Grand Prix
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