F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Melbourne Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all?

Melbourne's Grand Prix track is made up of public roads encircling Albert Park, a venue located just south of the city's central business district.

The 5.30 km street circuit has the feel of a natural road course however, but with few true straights where top speeds aren't as high or frequent as on the majority of F1's other tracks.

As usual, a car's top velocity in qualifying trim is determined by its engine output and downforce settings, with the latter usually the predominant factor.

The speed trap readings from Saturday's qualifying session saw Racing Point's Sergio Perez - powered by Mercedes - lead the field with a top speed of 322.5 km/h.

At the other end of the spectrum, Williams' Robert Kubica - also a Mercedes-powered driver - clocked in at just 314.6 km/h which tells us pretty much all we need to know about the lack of aerodynamic efficiency of the FW42.

However, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who qualified third on Saturday 0.714s behind poleman Lewis Hamilton, was also a laggard through the Albert Park speed gun, a relative weakness that likely points to a high downforce set-up on the German's SF90.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Verstappen expands GT ambitions with Mercedes-AMG partnership

Max Verstappen’s GT outfit – Verstappen Racing – has confirmed its headline-grabbing partnership with Mercedes-AMG…

1 hour ago

Through one lens: 12 defining photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

20 hours ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

23 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

2 days ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

2 days ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

2 days ago