F1 gears up for Australian GP after 3 years on revamped track
FirstpostF1 drivers are preparing for a new Albert Park layout at the Australian Grand Prix — they won’t drive on the redesigned, resurfaced circuit until Friday’s two practice sessions ahead of qualifying Saturday Melbourne Formula One returns to Australia for the first time in three years on Sunday and Daniel Ricciardo hopes the break — and track renovations he had a say in determining — will help turn around his fortunes on his home circuit. McLaren driver Ricciardo and his F1 rivals are preparing for a new Albert Park layout at the Australian Grand Prix — they won’t drive on the redesigned, resurfaced circuit until Friday’s two practice sessions ahead of qualifying Saturday. As a race now you’re going to see a totally different Sunday here in Melbourne.” Defending F1 champion Max Verstappen, who won the second race of the season in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago, said he’s pleased to be back in Australia after the 2020 and 2021 GPs were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Verstappen and fellow team driver Sergio Perez made their F1 debuts on the Albert Park track — Verstappen’s first start was in the 2015 race for Toro Rosso; four years after Pérez had finished seventh on debut with Sauber, only to be disqualified for a technical infringement.