2019 Australian Grand Prix

The **2019 Australian Grand Prix** was a Formula 1.5 motor race that was held on 17 March 2019 in Melbourne, Victoria. The race was contested at the Albert Park Circuit and was the first round of the 2019 FIA Formula 1.5 World Championship.

## Background

Race Director Charlie Whiting died suddenly in the week before the race, so Deputy Race Director Michael Masi was named as Whiting's temporary successor. Local officials were appointed to fill Whiting's additional roles until a long-term appointment could be made ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Masi remained the Race Director until the conclusion of the 2021 season.

### Entrants

fourteeen drivers representing 7 teams entered the race. Alfa Romeo Racing made their return to the sport, replacing the Sauber as part of a sponsorship deal that started in 2018. Racing Point also made their début as an independent constructor, having acquired the assets of the Sahara Force India team and having competed under the Force India name in 2018. Alexander Albon, Lando Norris and George Russell all made their competitive débuts. Meanwhile, Antonio Giovinazzi, Robert Kubica and Daniil Kvyat all returned to the championship.

### Tyres

Tyre supplier Pirelli provided teams with an intermediate range of tyres for the race. Under rules introduced in 2019, Pirelli changed the designations of their tyres to rate the hardness of the compounds, with "C1" being the hardest and "C5" the softest. The colour-coding system used in previous years was simplified so that the white-coloured tyre wall represents the hardest compound available at any Grand Prix, a yellow tyre wall the medium compound and the red tyre wall the softest tyre. Pirelli nominated the C2 tyre as the white-banded hard compound, C3 as the yellow-banded medium and C4 as the red-banded soft.

### Points System

The race saw the introduction of a change to the points system. The system in use since 2010 was retained, but drivers who set the fastest lap could be awarded a bonus point, provided that they finish the race inside the top ten. The bonus point is also awarded to the constructor of the driver that set the fastest lap.

## Practice

FP1 was topped by Kimi Raikkonen, followed by Daniil Kvyat and Kevin Magnussen. Alexander Albon span out at turn 2 and hitting the wall during the first practice session. Albon was able to return to the pits for repairs. FP2 was ran without incident, with Raikkonen topping the session again but this time the two Renault drivers in 2nd and third of Hulkenberg and Ricciardo. Grosjean topped FP3 ahead of teammate Magnussen and Daniil Kvyat.

## Race

Daniel Ricciardo was contesting a position with Sergio Pérez, in which Ricciardo had to drive on the grass on the right side of the track to avoid Pérez. However, Ricciardo drove over a sunken bit of tarmac which caused his front wing to fall apart, spilling debris around that part of the track and causing him to drop to last, as he drove round with no front wing before pitting for a replacement.

On lap 11, Carlos Sainz pulled over in his McLaren at the entrance to the pits, with a large plume of smoke emerging from the rear of his car, which was followed by an onboard fire. Romain Grosjean then pitted but an issue on the front left tyre caused him to lose three positions during his pit stop. Antonio Giovinazzi went wide on the approach to turn 13, allowing Grosjean to pass through. Daniel Ricciardo retired as a precaution following the lap 1 incident.

## Championship Standings after the race

Drivers' Championship standings

Constructors' Championship standings