Tickets for the Australian Grand Prix have been selling like lamingtons down under, prompting 5 new grandstands to be built at the Melbourne track.
Organisers of the Australian GP have noted a surge in pent up demand having been cancelled for the last two years due to Covid-19 restrictions. Disappointing many spectators, the 2020 race was the first Grand Prix to be cancelled, just hours before first practice.
Head of marketing and experiences for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, said, “We’re blown away by the incredible enthusiasm ahead of the Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix 2022 – this year’s event is on track to be the best Melbourne has ever seen and we cannot wait to welcome crowds back to Albert Park.
“Not only will these additional grandstands allow more people to experience the Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix 2022’s electrifying atmosphere, they also offer new and exciting views of a faster and more competitive Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.”
Last year the circuit began a raft of track modifications with the intention of making it easier for cars to follow and overtake, something that’s historically been difficult at the track. A number of corners were widened to allow cars to run side by side, and the track was resurfaced.
The biggest winners will be the spectators in the Albert Park Grandstands. Some fans set to benefit are those with seats in the Jones and Brabham grandstands. Turn 1 – already the best overtaking spot on the track – is now wider, making it easier for drivers to race through the turn and not just in the braking zone.
Turn 3 has also been widened and has extra camber. That’s good news for fans in the Piquet grandstand as overtaking should be a real possibility here now.
Turn 6 is over 7 metres wider and should see cars 70km/h faster and the chicane or turn 9 and 10 has been removed, making way for a high-speed section. The faster speed carried though turn 6 and a new DRS zone should result in some slipstreaming, witnessed by fans in the new Clark grandstand.
Other new grandstands have been named as Summerland (Turn 5), The Balconies (Turn 8), The Pinnacles (Turn 11) and Lauda (Turn 12). Organisers have stressed that views for general admission fans will not be impeded by the changes.
This year the Albert Park circuit hosts the third round of the 2022 F1 season on April 7th. If the new regulations governing aero have their intended consequences and make it easier to race, the track changes should only compound the benefits and give Aussie spectators some really close racing to get excited about.
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 25 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
