The 2006 Australian Grand Prix Preview

The third round sees the Formula One circus at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, Australia. Following a dominant start by Renault, the competition needs to pick up their game if they are to deny the French outfit a commanding lead ahead of the return to Europe.

Analysis

Albert Park is turned into a Grand Prix circuit specifically for this event, ensuring there is a very green surface for the outset of the weekend. Whilst not quite as obvious as Monaco, this is a very slippery surface that changes grip levels quickly as rubber goes down. Fast straights and big stop corners are costly on brakes, with good traction rewarded. Whilst not as hot as Malaysia, engine cooling requirements are still higher then European winter testing and have to be carefully considered.

Flashback

In the 2005 season-opener, Giancarlo Fisichella made the most of the driest moment on track to put Renault comprehensively on pole. Jarno Trulli, likewise weather enhanced, lined up alongside for Toyota. The mixed conditions saw Mark Webber (Williams), followed by Jacques Villeneuve (Sauber), David Coulthard (Red Bull) and Christian Klien (Red Bull). The McLaren duo were on the fifth row, Fernando Alonso (Renault) thirteenth, and Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) all the way back in eighteenth.

Come race day, the start was delayed by Kimi Raikkonen stalling and being relegated to the back, before Fisichella made a perfect start, whilst Coulthard slotted tidily in to third. Schumacher set about making up places from the back, but then had his mirrors full of the faster Raikkonen, hindering progress for both as they battled.

As the stops unwound, Coulthard moved up to second, Trulli dropped four places to sixth, whilst Juan Pablo Montoya moved up to fourth. Coulthard maintained the gap to Fisichella, surprising onlookers. The second round of stops had Schumacher exit the pits right on front of Nick Heidfeld, who he promptly forced on to the grass, leaving both in the gravel and eventually out. Rubens Barrichello and Alonso both passed Coulthard during the stops to complete what would be the podium, when the race ended.

Pos  Driver        Team                   Time
 1.  Fisichella    Renault           (M)  1h24:17.366
 2.  Barrichello   Ferrari           (B)  +     5.553
 3.  Alonso        Renault           (M)  +     6.712
 4.  Coulthard     Red Bull-Cosworth (M)  +    16.131
 5.  Webber        Williams-BMW      (M)  +    16.908
 6.  Montoya       McLaren-Mercedes  (M)  +    35.033
 7.  Klien         Red Bull-Cosworth (M)  +    38.997
 8.  Raikkonen     McLaren-Mercedes  (M)  +    39.633

Fastest lap: Alonso, 1:25.638

Weather

With temperatures expected to be around 20°C, there is a decided drop from the last two events. Rain is not expected, though winds of around 10mph will change direction as the weekend progresses, perhaps upsetting the teams with more sensitive aerodynamics.

Tyres

With the temporary circuit ensuring a green surface on Friday, getting the tyre selection right has traditionally been tricky, and would be tough this year with the limited mileage teams are prepared to put on their V8 engines; however, with tyre selection delayed until after the Saturday practice, there should be less guesswork involved this year.

From the opening events, Michelin has appeared to show a slight edge, but this weekend is expected to be somewhat cooler, which could bring out more from Bridgestone, provided their partners can get sufficient heat into the tyres.

Strategy

Two stops is likely to be the preferred option; as a tough overtaking circuit, three stops is risky, unless someone can break clear at the front, whilst the heavier one-stop load is tough on brakes.

That said, qualifying well makes a difference here, so there may be little to choose between qualifying with fuel for a short first stint versus a straightforward three stop strategy.

Conclusions

Despite the FIA requiring changes to the wings on McLaren and Ferrari, neither team should lose performance - indeed, McLaren is supposed to have an evolution on their aero package and look to show better pace again. Honda again will be looking for a podium, but the favourites are again Renault, following their strong start to the season.

For surprises, we repeat the view from last year: watch out for Cosworth; Williams should have an opportunity to score points here.

A lap of Albert Park with Juan Pablo Montoya

Powering up through the gears along the start-finish you reach some 310km/h in sixth gear, before braking hard for the right-left weave of turns one and two. Your speed drops to 132km/h in second gear and then increases through the left weave to some 219km/h.

You apply the throttle on the exit for the Aughtie Drive straight, reaching some 295km/h in sixth on the approach to the tight right of turn three, which is taken at 76km/h in first gear, which marks the hardest breaking point on the track as you pull some 1.6G.

This is again immediately followed by turn four, a sharp left hander which flicks you onto the short Whitford straight. Power on, you reach 240km/h in fifth gear along the straight before dabbing the brakes for the long, flowing right hander of turn five, which sees your speed decrease only slightly to 230km/h in fourth gear. It is one of those corners that you take flat in qualifying.

You need to maintain as much speed as possible through this sequence of bends to ensure you have a good exit as you power down the short straight that takes you to the tight right of turn six, reaching 285km/h in fifth, before braking for the second gear right hander which is taken at 123km/h.

Exiting, you take it completely flat through the sweeping right of the Lauda curve, reaching some 288km/h in sixth gear on the approach to Clark. This sharp right is negotiated at 109km/h in second gear.

Hard on the throttle, another long, sweeping bend follows. You need to accelerate through the left of turn ten you as your speed increases to some 288km/h in sixth gear, before the fast left-right chicane of eleven and twelve. Maintaining fourth gear through this section of the track, with your speed not dropping below 212km/h, you keep on the throttle as you exit along the short straight that leads to Ascari.

Another hard braking point, your speed drops from 298km/h in sixth gear to 122km/h in second for the tight right hander. A short straight leads to Stewart, another right hander, which is taken at 165km/h in third gear.

Again a short burst of acceleration on the approach to the 90-degree right of Prost, you reach 236km/h in fourth before braking hard for the final two corners. The first of which is a tight left hander and is negotiated in first gear at 74km/h. On the exit, you apply throttle momentarily and shortshift into third gear for the last bumpy right hander that flicks you back onto the start finish straight to begin another lap.

Team by Team

Renault

Following their dominant showing in Sepang, there is little doubt that Renault are expected to show well in Australia: as demonstrated at every race start, they have fantastic traction, which is particularly important out of the chicanes; the last races have illustrated that there is no problem with the big stops either.

Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella © LAT

Renault will be keeping an eye on Honda, who offer a similar performance, but McLaren's new aerodynamic package will also bear watching.

Drivers: After Giancarlo Fisichella's dominant performance last year, and a solid win in Malaysia, the Italian is confident in the car and himself; provided his luck holds out, he can see no reason why this can't be his fourth win. Then again, reigning World Champion Fernando Alonso is driving the same car, put in a very impressive race last year to make the podium from the back of the grid, and is just as motivated.

Objectives: Win - with both cars on the podium.

McLaren Mercedes

After promising to target reliability issues early, the McLaren challenge must be something of a disappointment to Kimi Raikkonen, who this time failed to finish after Klien ran into him. The Finn is clearly very quick, but struggling to get a break.

That said, the Malaysian showing saw a fourth place finish for Montoya, despite tyre graining and a need to preserve an engine: when on fresh rubber and allowed to run, the pace matched Renault.

With new engines for Australia, the cars should be unfettered as they challenge for good points; furthermore, the team are supposed to be fitting some new aerodynamics that should further improve performance, and resolve the FIA's warning to eliminate their flexible wing: this time out, they anticipate being better than Honda and able to take the fight to Renault.

Drivers: With Montoya scoring fourth place in Sepang, his second points finish, his campaign is off to a better start than his teammate, even if it doesn't include a back to front drive; that said, he must be looking for a solid race this weekend. If the new aero is up to billing, then a podium is in the offing.

When he has been racing, Raikkonen has looked very quick and clearly cannot be ruled out off the podium - provided he doesn't get another tough ten lap qualifying penalty, there is every chance he will challenge for a win this weekend.

Objectives: Finish on the podium - challenge for a win if possible.

Ferrari

The Sepang experience was somewhat mixed for Ferrari, who had engine changes making a mockery of their qualifying, but still managed to finish with both cars in the points. The 'flexible wing' issue that threatened to see Ferrari protested by eight teams has been resolved, as the team revised their wings. Whether that distraction has impacted either the car's performance or hindered getting other developments on remains to be seen, but the impact should be negligible.

Ahead of the next race, the team have been testing hard with Bridgestone, amongst other things, working on an improved tyre for the Australian GP. With lower temperatures predicted, a step forward here could allow them to steal a march on the Michelin runners, which would enable fighting for the win.

More realistically, given the team's tactical acumen and an incident-free weekend, having the pace to fight their way on to the podium is a more realistic expectation.

Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher in the Malaysian Grand Prix © XPB/LAT

Drivers: Felipe Massa significantly improved his reputation by starting the race behind his team leader, then leading him across the line at the finish; if the Brazilian can beat his illustrious teammate for a second weekend on the trot, then that reputation would be cemented.

Michael Schumacher is never to be discounted, though; the ex-World Champion is highly motivated this year, and as evidenced by his continued willingness to battle strongly for positions, it would be no surprise to see him fighting at the front during the race - though a win would probably also require an element of luck.

Objectives: Podium finish.

Toyota

A far better showing in Malaysia indicates that the team are making progress in resolving their problems for getting heat in to their Bridgestone tyres - they will be hoping that Bridgestone's softest tyres will work for them again this weekend. Reliability is not perfect (Ralf Schumacher had an engine let go on qualifying, then made an extra stop kin the race for a pneumatic top up) but there is hope for the team yet.

Testing ahead of the next event has seen Toyota working hard with Bridgestone to develop tyres that are soft enough; they should also be looking at how to work them harder with the suspension geometry and aerodynamics, but that work will take longer to come through the pipeline.

The reduced track temperatures in Albert Park could make life difficult for the team again, but if they can find some grip, then they will still be looking to score points this weekend.

Drivers: In its current incarnation, the car is supposed to suit Jarno Trulli's as much as Ralf Schumacher, but it has done the qualifying specialist little good as, to date, both drivers have struggled somewhat. On race day, they are both capable of putting on a strong performance, but until the car improves, they are going to struggle to be noticed.

Objectives: Finish in the points with both cars.

Williams Cosworth

Following a double retirement in Sepang, it is difficult to know precisely where the Williams duo could have finished, but they were clearly on form when they filled the second row of the grid on Saturday.

It seems that Cosworth power is doing the team a power of good; the overall package is clearly not on a par with Renault, but the team are able to put on a strong showing and should benefit from the long traction zones in Melbourne.

Traditionally strong tactically, but with a limited budget for developing in-season, these early races represent some of the best chances Williams will have to score good points this year - if they can keep their act together, then it may even be possible to get a driver on the podium.

Drivers: Alex Wurz has been putting in solid work on Friday, helping the drivers to keep their mileage down - with such experienced input the team know they are relying on good data.

Nico Rosberg © XPB/LAT

Nico Rosberg continues to look like a star of the future, after outqualifying Mark Webber and doing nothing to mar his reputation during the race. Another solid outing will do little but continue to cement his rapidly building reputation. Webber, meanwhile, has to push harder; the Australian is still a fantastic qualifier, but he is struggling to produce good finishes - that this is often because the car is letting him down does little to help his image.

Objectives: Get both cars in the points.

Honda

A somewhat frustrating showing by Honda in Malaysia calls into question their tactical acumen: after both of Jenson Button's stops, they let him back out into traffic, which is the probable cause for Alonso being able to pass for second place. Rubens Barrichello's drive-through penalty for speeding in the pitlane robbed him of any chance to score points, capping off the frustration.

On the positive side, the car is clearly performing almost as well as the Renault: whilst the French outfit may be better than they show and easing off a fraction - nevertheless, finishing less than ten seconds off the pace after an hour and a half of racing shows they can close the gap by finding a 0.2% performance improvement, so clearly, they are hoping some of the results from the recent test works out.

Drivers: With Anthony Davidson performing such a sterling job, the team are unlikely to ask their racing drivers to do many miles on the green Friday surface. Rather, he'll do almost all the running on their behalf, unless he drops the car in the gravel again.

Looking at the racing drivers, Button has had all the best of the running at Honda so far, and he will be expected to have another strong weekend - even when the team struggle to dial the car in on Friday, they are getting their act together for qualifying and the race. He'll be looking for another podium.

Barrichello, despite having a great affinity for this circuit (he had a barnstorming race last year) will do well to make the same pace as Button whilst he is still settling into the team and getting used to left foot braking.

Objectives: Finish on the podium - challenge for a win-

Red Bull Racing Ferrari

It has not been quite the season Red Bull hoped for so far - a double retirement in Malaysia confirming that reliability issues plague their challenge. Considering the number of teams that have stepped up their game this year, this is something that has to be resolved in short order.

That said, when the car is running, it seems reasonably quick. Klien qualified in the top ten, and when racing, they appear to be close to the pace. Whilst not a match for the front runners, when the car gets to the finish, they have a realistic chance of scoring points.

After the Sepang race, the team had 'the best test the RB2 has done to date' but it ended still prematurely with technical issues, so it seems there may be more gremlins waiting in the wings for the weekend ahead.

Drivers: David Coulthard's early exit in Sepang means that at least his engine has limited mileage for the weekend ahead; the Scot has not excelled in qualifying, but his race day experience has often helped him to finish well - provided the car goes the distance, he has a chance of finishing in the points.

David Coulthard and Christian Klien, Malaysian Grand Prix © Reuters

Christian Klien has clearly continued maturing in his role, and besides outqualifying Coulthard so far this season, he has been expected to keep a level head in races, something that unfortunately did not occur in Malaysia, as he damaged his suspension at the start by running into Raikkonen. A more cautious approach will be required this Sunday.

Objectives: Get both cars to the finish. Score a point.

BMW Sauber

Following the Malaysian Grand Prix, BMW were advised by the FIA that their wings are not up to scratch in the flexibility department ... although they offend less than McLaren or Ferrari, the change required for the Australian Grand Prix is a distraction they can do without.

Malaysia was a mixed bag for the team; despite a disappointing qualifying, strong showings for the race saw Jacques Villeneuve finish seventh - but Heidfeld's engine failure robbed him of a fifth place finish.

For Melbourne, the team are expecting to have decent race pace again, but with overtaking a difficult proposition, they have to improve their qualifying if they are to have a realistic shot at scoring points.

Drivers: Robert Kubica has been impressing with his performances on Friday; the Pole has limited experience, but still puts in some excellent runs, relieving the workload from the main drivers.

Jacques Villeneuve will be on his second weekend with his engine, so conserving miles - and perhaps detuning the engine during the race - may compromise his pace; Nick Heidfeld on the other hand has a new engine after his failure at the last outing, so he will be looking to capitalise with a strong showing.

Objectives: Score points.

Midland Toyota

After a perfectly ordinary showing in Malaysia, Midland are more optimistic about their opportunities in Melbourne, believing the circuit more likely to suit there car. This may be the case, but they are still expected to be a back marking team.

A good weekend should see the team comfortably beating Super Aguri, so their real competition will be Toro Rosso. Scoring points will probably require the intervention of rain, with the concomitant confusion that typically brings.

Drivers: Provided the car does not let him down, Tiago Monteiro can be expected to make it to the finish as usual; his consistency has been remarkable since he arrived, and considering he gets on well with street circuits, there is little reason to expect any change.

Christijan Albers did not have much fun at Albert Park last year, after retiring shortly after the start of the race; he is as quick as Monteiro, though, so they should at least be able to keep each other busy en route to the finish.

Objectives: Get both cars to the finish - beat Toro Rosso.

Toro Rosso Cosworth

Vitantonio Liuzzi, Toro Rosso, Malaysian Grand Prix © LAT

After all the ballyhoo during the off-season about how much more the FIA need to restrict the V10 engines, the performances to date by Toro Rosso have been far from controversial. Their engine has been reliable, but a clutch failure in Sepang still prevented one of the cars from finishing.

Considering the fragility of the V8 runners, the best route to points requires an approach demonstrated by the mature head of Coulthard in 2005 - specifically avoiding incidents at the start of the race and working hard in order to hold out for points as front runners fall out.

Drivers: Both drivers have put together decent laps in recent races, though they have not shown the consistency of pace required to challenge in the midfield so far. Scott Speed held off Barrichello for a spell in Malaysia, so there is enough performance to keep even the front runners honest, but they are losing out during pitstops.

Objectives: Get both cars to the finish - beating MF1.

Super Aguri Honda

With another race distance behind them, the team are gathering useful information on their Bridgestone tyres and looking forward to their new front wing. It will be interesting to see what difference this will make compared with their rivals: it may be an improvement, but there can be little hope for getting away from the back until they have the new car.

Drivers: Both Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide are struggling to do much with this car, yet they are getting in what laps they can and providing data for the engineers. In Malaysia, there were some promising lap times at the outset of the race.

Objectives: get both cars to the finish.