Sebastian Vettel began his title defence with victory in Australia, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Vitaly Petrov. The new season introduced Pirelli tyres and DRS, while Petrov became the first Russian driver to reach a Formula 1 podium.
Race Guide
Season: 2011 F1 World Championship
Race date: 27 March 2011
Race start time: 17:00 local time (UTC+11:00)
Circuit: Albert Park Circuit
Laps: 58 laps
Circuit length: 5.303 km
2010 winner: Jenson Button
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing |
| Pole time | 1:23.529 | |
| Fastest lap | Felipe Massa | Ferrari |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:28.947 on lap 55 | |
| First | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing |
| Second | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren |
| Third | Vitaly Petrov | Renault |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 25 March 2011 | Practice 1 | 12:30 – 14:00 |
| 25 March 2011 | Practice 2 | 16:30 – 18:00 |
| 26 March 2011 | Practice 3 | 14:00 – 15:00 |
| 26 March 2011 | Qualifying | 17:00 |
| 27 March 2011 | Race | 17:00 |
All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.
Championship background
The 2011 F1 World Championship began with a fresh points table and the first opportunity to measure the teams in race conditions. Albert Park Circuit hosted the opening contest, where qualifying pace, tyre management and reliability would all shape the result.
Race entries
Nick Heidfeld replaced the injured Robert Kubica at Renault. Paul di Resta, Pastor Maldonado, Sergio Pérez and Jérôme d'Ambrosio joined the race grid. Team Lotus continued with Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen, while Renault paired Nick Heidfeld with Vitaly Petrov.
Free Practice
Mark Webber led FP1, but Karun Chandhok’s practice appearance ended almost immediately when he crashed on his installation lap. Turn 3 also caught out several other drivers. Sebastian Vettel’s blistered front tyre drew attention as teams began racing with Pirelli, although similar behaviour had already appeared during winter testing.
McLaren’s improved form brought Jenson Button to the front in FP2 despite its difficult winter. Late showers never required wet tyres, and the final half-hour included a simulation of race DRS restrictions. Hispania finally sent Vitantonio Liuzzi out for an installation lap, while Narain Karthikeyan’s car remained unfinished in the garage.
Sebastian Vettel led FP3 as Hispania continued its hurried preparations. Narain Karthikeyan finally set a time, but Vitantonio Liuzzi lost drive on his installation lap and needed recovery. Williams also lost valuable running: Rubens Barrichello suffered gearbox trouble, while Pastor Maldonado spun off and could not rejoin before qualifying.
Free Practice 1 Classification
2011 Australian Grand Prix FP1, 25 March 2011
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Mark Webber | Red Bull Racing | 1:26.831 | 20 |
| 2 | 1 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing | +0.327s | 19 |
| 3 | 5 | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | +0.918s | 20 |
| 4 | 8 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | +1.321s | 16 |
| 5 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Williams | +1.599s | 24 |
| 6 | 4 | Jenson Button | McLaren | +1.609s | 29 |
| 7 | 3 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | +1.652s | 26 |
| 8 | 7 | Michael Schumacher | Mercedes | +1.859s | 14 |
| 9 | 16 | Kamui Kobayashi | Sauber | +1.894s | 13 |
| 10 | 10 | Vitaly Petrov | Renault | +1.934s | 15 |
| 11 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | +2.011s | 20 |
| 12 | 9 | Nick Heidfeld | Renault | +2.097s | 14 |
| 13 | 14 | Adrian Sutil | Force India | +2.483s | 19 |
| 14 | 18 | Sebastien Buemi | Toro Rosso | +2.497s | 21 |
| 15 | 12 | Pastor Maldonado | Williams | +2.572s | 24 |
| 16 | 19 | Daniel Ricciardo | Toro Rosso | +2.637s | 23 |
| 17 | 17 | Sergio Perez | Sauber | +2.812s | 18 |
| 18 | 15 | Nico Hulkenberg | Force India | +4.171s | 20 |
| 19 | 20 | Heikki Kovalainen | Team Lotus | +5.597s | 13 |
| 20 | 25 | Jerome d'Ambrosio | Virgin Racing | +8.451s | 17 |
| 21 | 24 | Timo Glock | Virgin Racing | +8.458s | 15 |
| 22 | 21 | Karun Chandhok | Team Lotus | No time | 1 |
Free Practice 2 Classification
2011 Australian Grand Prix FP2, 25 March 2011
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Jenson Button | McLaren | 1:25.854 | 32 |
| 2 | 3 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | +0.132s | 31 |
| 3 | 5 | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | +0.147s | 28 |
| 4 | 1 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing | +0.160s | 35 |
| 5 | 2 | Mark Webber | Red Bull Racing | +0.429s | 33 |
| 6 | 7 | Michael Schumacher | Mercedes | +0.736s | 31 |
| 7 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | +0.935s | 34 |
| 8 | 17 | Sergio Perez | Sauber | +1.247s | 39 |
| 9 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Williams | +1.426s | 34 |
| 10 | 8 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | +1.594s | 23 |
| 11 | 19 | Jaime Alguersuari | Toro Rosso | +1.671s | 31 |
| 12 | 10 | Vitaly Petrov | Renault | +1.674s | 29 |
| 13 | 9 | Nick Heidfeld | Renault | +1.682s | 22 |
| 14 | 18 | Sebastien Buemi | Toro Rosso | +1.843s | 30 |
| 15 | 16 | Kamui Kobayashi | Sauber | +2.241s | 35 |
| 16 | 15 | Paul di Resta | Force India | +2.522s | 33 |
| 17 | 14 | Adrian Sutil | Force India | +2.729s | 31 |
| 18 | 12 | Pastor Maldonado | Williams | +3.532s | 29 |
| 19 | 20 | Heikki Kovalainen | Team Lotus | +4.975s | 22 |
| 20 | 21 | Jarno Trulli | Team Lotus | +5.058s | 23 |
| 21 | 25 | Jerome d'Ambrosio | Virgin Racing | +6.252s | 36 |
| 22 | 24 | Timo Glock | Virgin Racing | +6.281s | 30 |
| 23 | 23 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | HRT | No time | 1 |
Free Practice 3 Classification
2011 Australian Grand Prix FP3, 26 March 2011
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing | 1:24.507 | 15 |
| 2 | 2 | Mark Webber | Red Bull Racing | +0.857s | 14 |
| 3 | 3 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | +1.046s | 15 |
| 4 | 4 | Jenson Button | McLaren | +1.060s | 16 |
| 5 | 10 | Vitaly Petrov | Renault | +1.399s | 18 |
| 6 | 5 | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | +1.614s | 16 |
| 7 | 16 | Kamui Kobayashi | Sauber | +1.910s | 17 |
| 8 | 8 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | +2.013s | 17 |
| 9 | 9 | Nick Heidfeld | Renault | +2.239s | 17 |
| 10 | 7 | Michael Schumacher | Mercedes | +2.349s | 15 |
| 11 | 18 | Sebastien Buemi | Toro Rosso | +2.501s | 17 |
| 12 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | +2.504s | 15 |
| 13 | 19 | Jaime Alguersuari | Toro Rosso | +2.559s | 14 |
| 14 | 15 | Paul di Resta | Force India | +2.580s | 15 |
| 15 | 14 | Adrian Sutil | Force India | +2.673s | 15 |
| 16 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Williams | +3.561s | 7 |
| 17 | 17 | Sergio Perez | Sauber | +3.570s | 9 |
| 18 | 20 | Heikki Kovalainen | Team Lotus | +5.265s | 17 |
| 19 | 21 | Jarno Trulli | Team Lotus | +5.496s | 18 |
| 20 | 24 | Timo Glock | Virgin Racing | +5.754s | 15 |
| 21 | 12 | Pastor Maldonado | Williams | +5.989s | 5 |
| 22 | 25 | Jerome d'Ambrosio | Virgin Racing | +6.197s | 18 |
| 23 | 22 | Narain Karthikeyan | HRT | +17.047s | 5 |
| 24 | 23 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | HRT | No time | 1 |
Qualifying
Qualifying used three knockout sessions lasting twenty, fifteen and ten minutes. Drivers progressed through Q1 and Q2 before the final ten competed for pole in Q3.
Sebastian Vettel took pole ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber. The returning 107% rule excluded both HRT drivers, whose request to race was rejected after limited running with their new cars.
Qualifying Classification
2011 Australian Grand Prix Qualifying, 26 March 2011
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing | 1:25.296 | 1:24.090 | 1:23.529 | 16 |
| 2 | 3 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | 1:25.384 | 1:24.595 | 1:24.307 | 19 |
| 3 | 2 | Mark Webber | Red Bull Racing | 1:25.900 | 1:24.658 | 1:24.395 | 15 |
| 4 | 4 | Jenson Button | McLaren | 1:25.886 | 1:24.957 | 1:24.779 | 18 |
| 5 | 5 | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | 1:25.707 | 1:25.242 | 1:24.974 | 19 |
| 6 | 10 | Vitaly Petrov | Renault | 1:25.543 | 1:25.582 | 1:25.247 | 18 |
| 7 | 8 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 1:25.856 | 1:25.606 | 1:25.421 | 17 |
| 8 | 6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 1:26.031 | 1:25.611 | 1:25.599 | 18 |
| 9 | 16 | Kamui Kobayashi | Sauber | 1:25.717 | 1:25.405 | 1:25.626 | 17 |
| 10 | 18 | Sébastien Buemi | Toro Rosso | 1:26.232 | 1:25.882 | 1:27.066 | 15 |
| 11 | 7 | Michael Schumacher | Mercedes | 1:25.962 | 1:25.971 | — | 13 |
| 12 | 19 | Jaime Alguersuari | Toro Rosso | 1:26.620 | 1:26.103 | — | 11 |
| 13 | 17 | Sergio Pérez | Sauber | 1:25.812 | 1:26.108 | — | 9 |
| 14 | 15 | Paul di Resta | Force India | 1:27.222 | 1:26.739 | — | 16 |
| 15 | 12 | Pastor Maldonado | Williams | 1:26.298 | 1:26.768 | — | 17 |
| 16 | 14 | Adrian Sutil | Force India | 1:26.245 | 1:31.407 | — | 15 |
| 17 | 11 | Rubens Barrichello | Williams | 1:26.270 | no time | — | 12 |
| 18 | 9 | Nick Heidfeld | Renault | 1:27.239 | — | — | 10 |
| 19 | 20 | Heikki Kovalainen | Team Lotus | 1:29.254 | — | — | 10 |
| 20 | 21 | Jarno Trulli | Team Lotus | 1:29.342 | — | — | 12 |
| 21 | 24 | Timo Glock | Virgin Racing | 1:29.858 | — | — | 10 |
| 22 | 25 | Jérôme d'Ambrosio | Virgin Racing | 1:30.822 | — | — | 8 |
| DNQ | 23 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | HRT | 1:32.978 | — | — | 11 |
| DNQ | 22 | Narain Karthikeyan | HRT | 1:34.293 | — | — | 11 |
What happened in the 2011 Australian Grand Prix?
Vettel led away cleanly, while Petrov made a strong start into fourth. Hamilton stayed second, and Alonso lost ground in the opening corners before beginning his recovery through the field.
Button struggled to pass Massa and received a drive-through penalty after completing a move by cutting the chicane. Schumacher retired with damage from early contact, while Rosberg was later eliminated in a collision with Rubens Barrichello.
Vettel controlled the lead through the stops, with Hamilton finishing second despite damage to his McLaren‘s floor. Petrov held third ahead of Alonso and Webber, delivering Renault a podium at the opening race.
Both Saubers initially finished in the points but were disqualified for rear-wing infringements. The amended order promoted Massa, Sébastien Buemi, Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta into seventh through tenth behind Button.
Further down the points places, Felipe Massa, Sébastien Buemi, Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta completed the scoring positions. Felipe Massa set the fastest lap, but no bonus point was awarded under the 2011 rules.
After the race, Sebastian Vettel headed the drivers’ standings with 25 points, followed by Lewis Hamilton on 18. Red Bull Racing led the constructors’ table on 35, with McLaren on 26.
2011 Australian Grand Prix race results
The 2011 Australian Grand Prix was held on 27 March 2011, with a scheduled start of 17:00 local time.
2011 Australian Grand Prix Fastest Laps
Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.
2011 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings after the 2011 Australian Grand Prix.
2011 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
| POS | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sebastian Vettel | German | Red Bull Racing | 25 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | British | McLaren | 18 |
| 3 | Vitaly Petrov | Russian | Renault | 15 |
| 4 | Fernando Alonso | Spanish | Ferrari | 12 |
| 5 | Mark Webber | Australian | Red Bull Racing | 10 |
| 6 | Jenson Button | British | McLaren | 8 |
| 7 | Felipe Massa | Brazilian | Ferrari | 6 |
| 8 | Sébastien Buemi | Swiss | Toro Rosso | 4 |
| 9 | Adrian Sutil | German | Force India | 2 |
| 10 | Paul di Resta | British | Force India | 1 |
| 11 | Jaime Alguersuari | Spanish | Toro Rosso | 0 |
| 12 | Nick Heidfeld | German | Renault | 0 |
| 13 | Jarno Trulli | Italian | Team Lotus | 0 |
| 14 | Jérôme d'Ambrosio | Belgian | Virgin Racing | 0 |
| – | Timo Glock | German | Virgin Racing | 0 |
| – | Rubens Barrichello | Brazilian | Williams | 0 |
| – | Nico Rosberg | German | Mercedes | 0 |
| – | Heikki Kovalainen | Finnish | Team Lotus | 0 |
| – | Michael Schumacher | German | Mercedes | 0 |
| – | Pastor Maldonado | Venezuelan | Williams | 0 |
| – | Kamui Kobayashi | Japanese | Sauber | 0 |
| – | Sergio Pérez | Mexican | Sauber | 0 |
2011 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Bull Racing | 35 |
| 2 | McLaren | 26 |
| 3 | Ferrari | 18 |
| 4 | Renault | 15 |
| 5 | Toro Rosso | 4 |
| 6 | Force India | 3 |
| 7 | Team Lotus | 0 |
| 8 | Virgin Racing | 0 |
| – | Williams | 0 |
| – | Mercedes | 0 |
| – | Sauber | 0 |
2011 Formula 1 Race Calendar
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