​RedBull have won the first two stages (via Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez) of the new Formula 1 season and the signs are that the Austrian team are also heavy favorites at Albert Park in Melbourne.

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Verstappen leads the overall rating (44 points), the Dutchman is followed by his teammate Sergio Perez (43 points). The podium is completed by the unexpected Fernando Alonso, a veteran of the world circuit (41 years old).

Formula 1 Grand Prix of Australia, schedule

Sunday, April 2

Race: 08:00 (Romanian time)

Saturday, April 1

Qualification / 08:00 – 09:00

Training 3 / 04:30 – 05:30

Friday, March 31

Training 2 / 08:00 – 09:00

Training 3 / 04:30 – 05:30

• In Romania, the 2023 Formula 1 season can be watched live on Digisport, Orange Sport and Prima Sport channels.

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1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:27:46.548

2 Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +20.524

3 George Russell (Mercedes) +25,593

Melbourne Circuit Albert Park

• The first Grand Prix: 1996

• Track length: 5,278 km

• Grand Prix distance: 306.124 km

• Number of rounds: 58

• Record: 1:20.260 – Charles Leclerc (2022)

• There will be two DRS (F1 Overtaking Assist) zones: between Turns 6 and 7 and between Turns 12 and 13.

• The contract to hold the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne was signed in 1993, and the first Grand Prix took place in 1996. Adelaide last hosted the Australian Grand Prix in 1995 (Formula 1 races were held here from 1985 to 1995).

• The Albert Park circuit is one of the fastest in Formula 1, with Lewis Hamilton averaging over 235 km/h at the 2019 Grand Prix.

• The stands with the best visibility are Waite, which overlooks Turn 10, and Brabham, on the outside of Turn 2.

• The contract between Formula 1 and Melbourne runs until 2035.

• In 2020 and 2021, the Australian Grand Prix did not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Grandstand capacity: about 125,000 seats, including 44,000 seats.

• Albert Park Circuit was first opened on November 20, 1953. It was reopened on March 7, 1996.

• 2022 was the year with the largest number of fans at Albert Park: 419,114 spectators (128,294 were on race day).

• The team with the most wins at Albert Park: Scuderia Ferrari (10). McLaren (11) and Williams (4) follow.

• Driver with most wins in Melbourne: Michael Schumacher (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004). It is followed by Jenson Button (2009, 2010, 2012) and Sebastian Vettel (2011, 2017, 2018).

Last 10 winners at Albert Park

2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

2019 – Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

2018 – Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

2017 – Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

2016 – Nico Rosberg (“Mercedes”)

2015 – Lewis Hamilton (“Mercedes”)

2014 – Nico Rosberg (“Mercedes”)

2013 – Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)

2012 – Jenson Button (McLaren)

2011 – Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull).

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Rating of pilots

1 Max Verstappen – RedBull 44 points

2 Sergio Perez – RedBull 43

3 Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin 30

4. Carlos Sainz – Ferrari 20

5 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes 20

6 George Russell – Mercedes 18

7 Lance Stroll – Aston Martin 8

8 Charles Leclerc – Ferrari 6

9 Pierre Gasly – Alpine 4

10 Esteban Ocon – Alpine 4

11 Valtteri Bottas – Alfa Romeo 4

12 Kevin Magnussen – HAAS 1

13 Alexander Albon – Williams 1

14 Yuki Tsunoda – AlphaTauri 0

15 Nico Hulkenberg – HAAS 0

16 Logan Sargent – Williams 0

17 Zhou Guanyu – Aston Martin 0

18 Nick De Vries – AlphaTauri 0

19 Oscar Piastri – McLaren 0

20 Lando Norris – McLaren 0

Rating of builders

1 RedBull 87 points

2 Aston Martin 38s

3 Mercedes 38

4 Ferrari 26s

5 Alpine 8

6 Alfa Romeo 4

7 HAAS 1

8 Williams 1

9 Alpha Tauri 0

10 McLaren 0.

Formula 1 season calendar for 2023

March 5: Bahrain – victory for Max Verstappen

March 19: Saudi Arabia – victory for Sergio Perez

April 2: Australia / Melbourne

April 16: China / Shanghai

April 30: Azerbaijan / Baku

May 7: Miami

May 21: Emilia-Romagna / Imola

May 28: Monaco

June 4: Spain / Barcelona

June 18: Canada / Montreal

July 2: Austria / Spielberg

July 9: Great Britain / Silverstone

July 23: Hungary / Budapest

July 30: Belgium / Spa-Francorchamps

August 27: Netherlands / Zandvoort

September 3: Italy / Monza

September 17: Singapore / Marina Bay

September 24: Japan / Suzuka

October 8: Qatar / Losail

October 22: USA / Austin

October 29: Mexico / Mexico City

November 5: Brazil / Sao Paulo

November 18: Las Vegas

November 26: Abu Dhabi / Yas Marina.

Photo source:

Chris Putnam / Zuma Press / Profimedia

ANTONIN VINCENT/DPPI / Editorial Shutterstock / Profimedia

XPB Images Ltd / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia.