Exploring the brand-new 2022 Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit
Monday, 24 January 2022
Circuit changes set to be the catalyst for a blockbuster 2022 race.
Formula 1® has developed in so many ways since Melbourne hosted its first race in 1996 - but for all that change, the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit has remained largely unchanged.
That's no longer the case.
The Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit has evolved in what has been described as the most significant facelift of the track in the event's 25-year history.
In a brand-new four-part series, premiering on Monday 24 January, exclusive to the Australian Grand Prix's YouTube channel, the evolution of nearly two years' worth of track changes are explored.
The series features drivers on the current grid, including Australian superstar Daniel Ricciardo, who has been a key contributor to the new-look Albert Park Circuit, and says fans are set to be the big winners when the 2022 cars hit the track in April.
"It has been a difficult circuit to overtake," Ricciardo said.
"I think by changing some of these apexes, creating a little bit more of a wider apex, allowing more room to make a diving overtake, or even just change your line to get out of the dirty air, I think that will help. I'm very confident that it's going to be good," he continued.
The changes and modifications to the track are a milestone in the history of the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit and promise more speed, more overtaking opportunities, and an overall better racing spectacle, cementing Albert Park as one of the world's premier F1® circuits.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott says the changes fans will see in 2022 have been the result of necessity meeting opportunities.
"After 25 years there was simply a need to do some resurfacing, and when you're going to do resurfacing of a track that's 5.3km long, [it's a] great opportunity to evolve the circuit in the same way the cars have evolved over 25 years," Mr Westacott said.
With episodes released weekly via the Australian Grand Prix's YouTube Channel, the series also sees some of the biggest names in F1® share their memories of racing at Albert Park, with originally sourced interviews from Sir Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, George Russell, Valtteri Bottas and current World Champion Max Verstappen.
As Formula 1® makes its triumphant return to Melbourne, there is no doubt the new-look Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit will be at the core of what makes the 2022 event the biggest live racing and entertainment spectacle in Australia.
The full schedule of episodes:
- Episode 1: The Evolution of Albert Park - 24 January 2022
- Episode 2: What's Changed at Albert Park - 31 January 2022
- Episode 3: Albert Park's New High Speed Straight - 7 February 2022
- Episode 4: The Completed Circuit & 2022 - 14 February 2022 (TBC)
