Melbourne, Australia
Sepang, Malaysia
Shanghai, China
Sakhir, Bahrain
Montmelo, Spain
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Montreal, Canada
Valencia, Spain
Silverstone, Great Britain
Hockenheim, Germany
Budapest, Hungary
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Monza, Italy
Singapore
Suzuka, Japan
Yeongam, South Korea
New Delhi, India
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Sao Paolo, Brazil
Select flag for Mark's preview
18 March 2012Melbourne, Albert Park Circuit
There’s usually a bit of weather floating around in Melbourne, due to its proximity to the ocean. You need to be prepared for rain.
Turn 16: a long right-hander to end the lap. You need to get the car turned in efficiently so that you can get back on the power early for the pit-straight.
Turns 11 and 12: the fastest and most rewarding corners on the lap. You need to be very committed and precise through here and 13 is a potential overtaking place if you get it right.
Turn 5: it might not look much because it’s only a little kink, but you have to use all of the road and the barriers are close, so it gets your attention.
| 2011 winner | Sebastian Vettel |
| Mark’s place | 9th |
| Race date | 18 March 2012 |
| Circuit name | Albert Park Circuit |
| No. of laps | 58 |
| Circuit length | 5.303 km |
| Race distance | 307.574 km |
| Lap record | 1:24.125 – M Schumacher (2004) |
Not every driver gets to have a home race, so I’m very lucky to have Melbourne. The city generally stops for the event, so it’s well attended and there’s always a good atmosphere.
There’s a great sense of anticipation this year following news that the city has inherited the season-opener from Bahrain. What’s happened in Bahrain in recent weeks is terrible and I hope the political situation there stabilises quickly.
Ironically, the long-term future of the Melbourne race has been the subject of speculation recently. There are always pros and cons to a big sporting event and, from what I hear, it’s very hard to put a figure on what the race actually brings in. Some people in Victoria think they’re being ripped off for holding a car race on one weekend a year, others support the race.
I think we should be proud of the Australian Grand Prix. It’s been on the calendar every year since ’85, so it’s a part of F1’s history. There are lots of positives to take into account, and particularly this year. There are two weeks either side of the race and people will stay in Australia spending money.
As for Albert Park, it’s a pretty good track. It has a few repetitive second-gear right-handers, but there are some rewarding corners as well, such as the quick chicane out the back and Turn 5, the little kink at the end of the first sector.
I’m going to have a lot of friends and family at the race this year. Manchester United legend Roy Keane says in his book that the big matches at Old Trafford were a bit of a nightmare because everyone he knew wanted tickets and it’s a similar thing for me in Melbourne. I can end up with more than 100 people wanting to go! But it’s great that they want to go there and be a part of it; let’s hope I have a good weekend.
AS A MATTER OF FACT…
- Mark's first lap of Albert Park was in a Mercedes sportscar back in '99. He followed his hero Mick Doohan, who was riding a Honda 500cc motorbike, for the demo run.
- Albert Park was the scene of Mark's F1 debut in 2002. He finished fifth for Minardi.
- Mark has a grandstand named after him at Albert Park. The Mark Webber grandstand can be found overlooking the final corner, Turn 16.
- Mark is one of only three drivers on the grid to have raced at Adelaide, the former home of the Australian Grand Prix. In 1995 he won the Formula Ford support race at the track.
Comments
Michael Gray
POSTED March 17th, 2011
Re the hard to read text, after submitting my comment I noticed the Marks Says text is now on a green background, much easier to read than the tire marks background image when I posted the comment…
Regards
MG
Andrea
POSTED March 17th, 2011
I can hardly expect the first GP and your home race. You’re fantastic and I know you’ll give your best again!! Hopefully the car is as good and reliable as last season but what should go wrong with such a perfect driver!!! Kisses from Austria
Viktoriya
POSTED March 18th, 2011
In new season you will win!Your fans are with you. Good luck,Mark!!!
Núria
POSTED March 18th, 2011
My best wishes from Spain!! Good luck!
Dani Baker
POSTED March 18th, 2011
Loving the new website! Best of luck this season – I know you’ll do good 
John
POSTED March 18th, 2011
Good luck in Melbourne Mark and welcome home. You truly are an inspiration.
Robyn
POSTED March 19th, 2011
I drove part of the track tonight on the way home (albeit at 40km/h and in the wrong direction) and saw some of the team’s flight cases in the pit lane…not long to go now! Tremendously excited for this race, and will be there every day cheering you on. Best of luck!
Mariella
POSTED March 19th, 2011
Hello everyone. Are you ready and anxious as I am?
I hope we enjoy this season a lot, and we support Mark as always we do.
When we return to green? Nature is green, Mark is green, and the screen should be ……………….you know. lol
Véronique
POSTED March 19th, 2011
GOOD LUCK MARK FOR THIS SEASON.
I BELIEVE YOU
KISSES FROM FRANCE
Rod
POSTED March 19th, 2011
Hi Mark good luck just get through the first corner and go go go I will be in the webber stand and my son Liam will be singing the anthem at the start grid dont worry about the points just finish the race the season is very long luck can go any way it likes you just need you and sab out in front and then fight it out over the last few races
Nathan
POSTED March 19th, 2011
Hey Mark, good luck this year mate and I will give ya a wave from the Brabham stand as you blur past me next week.
Richard
POSTED March 19th, 2011
Hi Mark,
Received a copy of your book 2010 – A season to remember Up Front for my birthday in December. Great read and excellent colour photography. When you next visit Perth, would welcome the chance to get my book signed.
Followed your progress during pre-season testing, great work.
Can’t wait for the first GP of 2011 in Melbourne.
With your professional approach on and off the track and determination I am sure this will be your year.
I wish you all the best and good luck for the rest of the GP’s that are ahead of you and will be staying up to watch all even if in the early hours of the morning.
PS – It will be great to get your second book with the words “World Champion for 2011″
Cheers
Richard – Perth
marion inglis
POSTED March 20th, 2011
good luck Mark we will all be watching
Zdravko Anticic
POSTED March 20th, 2011
Hey
I have been your fan since i noticed you back in your day as a minardi driver…
I was prolly 8 at the time
Anyway, i wish you the best of luck at the weekend
And the team,
Sadly our national TV station stopped broadcasting F1,so i won’t be able to watch 
Go get em
Nick
POSTED March 20th, 2011
KIck but Mark, all of OZ is behind you, we have so much faith in you. You will be World Champ go get them for all of OZ.
andy
POSTED March 21st, 2011
GOOD LUCK MARK!! we’re all cheering for you!!
Petra
POSTED March 21st, 2011
Hi, good luck for 2011!!! by the way: on Facebook there is written “…And don’t forget to hover over the black dots on the track map!” It doesn’t really work, does it?
***Site Manager***
Hi there – when you click through to the My Season Preview section on Mark’s site (http://www.markwebber.com/my-season-preview/melbourne-australia) you will be able to see the comments when you hover over the black dots on the track maps. Each race will only be ‘activated’ the week beforehand, so at this stage the only race preview that is ‘live’ is Melbourne. Don’t forget to check back for future previews!
Annie
POSTED March 21st, 2011
Go get that trophy baby and bring it home. See you at Silverstone.
Annie
Nottingham
Petra
POSTED March 21st, 2011
@site manager.. thanks for the reply… I’ve just had to change the internetbrowser. Now, it works! (Will the site run in googlecrome as well in the future?)
Mark Webber Site Manager
POSTED March 21st, 2011
Hi Petra – glad to hear it’s working for you now. We use Google Chrome and there are no problems, so not sure why you couldn’t view it properly – it’s something we’ll mention to our developers.
Kylie Banks
POSTED March 22nd, 2011
Hey Mark, Goodluck for the year im sure 2011 will be even better than 2010.I really admire your hard work and sportsmanship your a great australian always a hero in my eyes.
Mick
POSTED March 22nd, 2011
Best of luck this season Mark,know you can do it.
jamie dix
POSTED March 23rd, 2011
hi mark,im from whyalla SA,home of the big red snapper…good luck 4 melbourne,been big fan since ur debut there 2002..ur the man…
Brett Mcinnes
POSTED March 23rd, 2011
Good luck Mark Potsee Webber all the best for 2011 and this weekend cant wait for my late sunday nights all the best mate
Adam Hinchliff
POSTED March 23rd, 2011
Mark,
You probably dont even read the comments. But Goodluck this year mate and I hope you kick some butt. Day after day i cop crap from guys at work for supporting you. But im still supporting you. Will see you in abu dhabi i hope. Let this year be yours!
Iréne
POSTED March 24th, 2011
Good luck from one of your swedish fans! This season will be yours
Harriet Gerrard
POSTED March 25th, 2011
Good Luck this year Mark! I can’t wait for the race this weekend, you will do great- as always. Your my No.1 driver.
Stephanie Robinson
POSTED March 25th, 2011
Good luck Mark with the new season! I really hope you can win the title and show everyone that ‘your not bad for a number two driver!’.
After last years driving i think this year will be the one to win the world championship.
Fingers crossed you can score a home win this weekend!
MAR
POSTED March 25th, 2011
Good luck from one of your Spanish fans.
We’re all cheering for you!!
Mar
Carol Tutchener
POSTED March 25th, 2011
Good luck Mark for a flying start to your F1 World Championship year with a win in our home town GP in Melbourne! It is great to see a successful Aussie sportsman who is also a true role model that we can all be proud of.
Peter D
POSTED March 25th, 2011
Good luck Mark. Push it, and Win for all of us. Your a great role modle for all young aussies.
The Diamond Family.
Peter D
POSTED March 25th, 2011
well done for P1… P1 !!!
Molly Radford
POSTED March 25th, 2011
Mr Webber I say God Speed to you.
I won’t say good luck, all the best, etc however I say Thankyou.
Thankyou Mr Webber.
Signed Molly Radford
Stolen Generation Australian
Finn Rippon
POSTED March 25th, 2011
Hi Mark,
I hope you have a good time in Melbourne and good luck in qualifying and for the race.
Finn – Hangzhou
SUSANA
POSTED March 26th, 2011
GOOD LUCK, MELBOURNE’S RACE IS YOURS, YOU’RE THE BEST!!
stuart
POSTED March 26th, 2011
Go Mark. This is the year for celebration
Linda Lewis
POSTED March 26th, 2011
Goodluck for tomorrow hoping you cross the line first but either way you are a winner.
Mariella
POSTED March 27th, 2011
Dear Mark: You did great last season and in a few hours is starting a new one in your country with all the support of your people. I think you can feel the adrenaline through your veins. Third position on the clean side I think it’s OK. All my support and best whishes for you and your team.
Stewart Graham
POSTED March 29th, 2011
Hi Mark Followed you for years Im british living in Derbyshire,you were obviously very frustrated on sunday you will get your car right and you will be up there with the top guys im very much behind you all the way mate good luck
Mark Woolway
POSTED December 28th, 2011
Hi Mark, Good luck with the race! I saw you at the Silverstone Grand Prix last year and threw you a fosters on stage after the race – Any chance of returning the favour out in Melbourne? Thanks!
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Hey Mark, best of luck for Melbourne! You have done a fantastic job, especially over the last year with some great wins and places. It would be fantastic if you could pull off a home win! Fingers crossed! Always a winner in my book!
BTW, I find the text on the race preview page a little hard to read with the dark background. Maybe a lighter background image or different text color would help…
best of Luck!
MG – Sydney