Calder Park – Melbourne

When was the track built?

Built in 1962, it has remained until 1987 a small and simple circuit, which tried to host major events, including four non-titled Australian Grand Prix before the official venue moved to Adelaide.
Only after the completion of the Oval, and the possibility to have a combined layout, it had a more global attention with also the NASCAR series visiting.
Unfortunately, due to financial and management struggles, it has been recently left almost in disuse and only the drag strip has been kept successfully active.
Thanks to the addition in the Formula One calendar, it will manage to get the financial support for a complete re-pavement and widening of the surface, and a full refurbishment of all facilities.
The drag strip will be removed to allow a 3-layout track suitable for all kind of motorsport series.

When was its first Grand Prix?

It will be the first ever titled GP on this circuit.
It is one of the eight Australian circuits that will feature in the Oceania Continental Series.

What’s the circuit like?

It will be a new experiment for Formula 1 to have a mixed permanent and oval track: it will use the pits within the oval.
Turn 1 is a tricky heavy braking zone straight after the 24 degrees banked corner that put cars into the National Circuit, which has been widened, but has kept its start-and-stop layout, with short straights and chicanes or slow corners between them.
The former drag strip will serve as the largest and longest straight leading back drivers into the oval on the second banked corner.
Cars will probably opt for medium-high downforce set-ups although it’s critical to have good top speed as overtakes will come at a premium; it will surely be an interesting venue for F1 racing, completely different from the ones used so far.

Where is it located?

At Calder Park, just outside the suburb of Keilor, in the northern part of Melbourne, few kilometres away from the airport. (- 37°40’20”, +144°45’33”)