Melbourne Opens Formula 1 Season

The 2012 season of Formula 1 opens in Melbourne Australia on the 18th of March and it’s time for the 12 teams and 24 drivers to show just what they can do. There have never been as many former champions on the starting grid as there is this year, a quarter of the line up have won 14 titles between them.

These returning champions are Sebastian Vettel, who is favourite to retain his title after becoming the youngest driver to become a double champion by winning in 2010 and 2011, Jensen Button (2009), Lewis Hamilton (2008), Fernando Alonso (2005-06), Michael Schumacher (1994-95, 2000-04) and not to forget that Kimi Raikkonen (2007) makes a welcome return to Formula 1 this season bringing the total champions to 6.


With this wealth of driving talent the 2012 season promises to be a fiercely competitive and action packed year of Formula 1 and Melbourne is a great place to start. Circling a lake in Melbourne’s beautiful Albert Park, the race track is a little over 5km and offers a fantastic racing experience.

Nico Hulkenberg, Force India had this to say ‘There’s a lot of excitement – that’s the word I keep using to describe how I’m feeling. And I think it will continue until the Sunday morning in Melbourne when I wake up knowing I will be racing again in a few hours. That’s when you feel the buzz and get the feeling of anticipation in your stomach.”