What is a grand prix?
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Grand prix is the name given to motor racing events that are held to determine world championships. Since the late 1800s these events have evolved from simple road races between neighbouring towns, to modern endurance tests for drivers and car makers. Formula one racing is now the highest class of single-seater grand prix motor racing sanctioned by the sport's governing body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The "formula" refers to the rules to which all participating racing teams must comply.
Held in March, the Australian Grand Prix is the first world championship event of the season. During 2014, 11 teams and 22 drivers will compete in 19 grand prix events around the world, including Malaysia, Italy, China, Monaco, Brazil, Japan and Russia. In each of these events, car constructors and their drivers will accrue points based on their results.
What is different about the 2014 championship?
This year, turbo-charged 1.6-litre V6 engines have replaced V10 and V8 engines that provided the signature "scream" of formula one engines in the past. These new, somewhat quieter, engines have been designed to provide a more environmentally friendly face for the sport. But the significant modifications are accompanied by numerous rule changes, and teething problems are expected in coming months as teams adapt.
The 2014 Australian Grand Prix was comfortably won by German driver Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), earning him 25 points and the early lead in the driver standings. But British driver Lewis Hamilton, also from Mercedes, failed to finish the race, placing Mercedes second overall on the constructors' standings behind McLaren.
Although Australian fans were thrilled to see Perth driver Daniel Ricciardo finish in second place, he was later disqualified for having exceeded the allowable fuel usage of 100 kilograms per hour, a new rule that took effect this year. Race stewards clarified that Ricciardo's team, Red Bull Racing, was at fault and not the driver. But Red Bull is appealing the decision, saying "problematic" FIA fuel sensors were responsible. Following the disqualification, McLaren drivers Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button took second and third place.
What is the history of Melbourne's grand prix?
In 1993 the Victorian government won the right to stage the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, controversially "stealing" the race from Adelaide, where it had been held since 1985. Since 1996 the event has been staged at Albert Park.
Drivers complete 57 laps of the 5.3-kilometre circuit around Albert Park Lake. Melbourne is contracted to retain the grand prix until 2015. However, while negotiations to secure a new contract have been underway for some time, a deal has not yet been struck. Since 1996, Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) chairman Ron Walker has negotiated these contracts with formula one boss Bernie Ecclestone on behalf of the Victorian government. Mr Walker, an Australian businessman who was once treasurer of the Victorian Liberal Party and who co-founded Crown Casino, said there were sticking points that needed to be addressed before a deal was finalised. But he is confident the event will remain in Melbourne until the end of the decade.
Who is Bernie Ecclestone?
Bernie Ecclestone, 83, is a British businessman who has been the driving force behind the lucrative formula one business for decades. He faces bribery charges in Germany next month and some people query whether Mr Walker's business interests and close friendship with Mr Ecclestone represent a conflict of interest. They fear Mr Walker may be too close to Mr Ecclestone to be negotiating on behalf of Victorian taxpayers. But Mr Walker insists that all his negotiations have been carried out in good faith.
Some say the "stalled" discussions indicate the Victorian government is after better value from a new contract, having reportedly paid $56.7 million in 2012 and $50.7 million in 2013 to stage the event. Some report that the government is hoping for a reduction in the race's annual "sanction fee" – allegedly almost $36 million this year – and a shorter-term contract rather than the usual five years. Others say the oft-touted economic and cultural benefits of the event – and the figures used to justify the multimillion-dollar outlay – are overstated. They say it should be axed because the "rising costs, dwindling crowds and fed-up local residents" make it unviable.
Are there other issues?
The Albert Park grand prix has been controversial since the contract was first signed by former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett in 1993. A group calling itself Save Albert Park continues to campaign against the race. The group's stated objectives are to "stop motor racing in Albert Park", to restore the park "as public open space and parkland" and to "protect" Albert Park "from the impact of the grand prix" and other "inappropriate development". But grand prix supporters say Albert Park is a great location for the race and that the event is inspirational for would-be engineers, designers and drivers. They say protesters are selfish to complain about "one week of inconvenience" when millions of people enjoy the event.
While many enjoyed the race, Mr Walker and AGPC chief executive Andrew Westacott complained about the "lacklustre" sound of the new engines. Mr Westacott, who described the racing as "second to none", said the atmosphere lacked "the sexiness" and "appeal of the noise". Mr Walker vows to have the problem addressed, saying people who love the emotional experience of the intense sound were short-changed. Others, however, liked that cheering fans could be heard above the engine noise, a fresh concept in formula one racing.
Recent headlines
"Australian Grand Prix: Bernie Ecclestone vows to deliver 'noisier' formula one cars", The Age, March 18.
"Bernie Ecclestone: an audience with the F1 supremo", Sydney Morning Herald, March 13
"Daniel Ricciardo will have a strong case at Australian GP appeal, says Paul Stoddard", Herald Sun, March 17.
"Revamped formula one cars fuel intrigue at the Australian Grand Prix", The Age, March 16.
What people say
"Yes, you've got the tennis, you've got the cricket, but I think the motorsport brings another dimension and it puts the world focus on Australia for that weekend, which is very positive."
Christian Horner, Red Bull chief, Herald Sun, March 13
"Victoria has not got value for money on the grand prix; the Auditor-General settled that argument years ago when he found it causes a net economic loss to Victoria. It's time to let it go or move it to a proper circuit."
Save Albert Park president Peter Goad, save-albert-park.org.au, March 12.
"Negotiations have been going on some time and the fact they've been going on for some time indicates that we're playing a very tough game."
Victorian Premier Denis Napthine, ABC's 7.30, March 11.
"A team won't take a woman driver unless they bring them massive sponsorship. So you could have a very, very good woman driver and she would not get what she deserves. Susie Wolff is good, but will she ever be in a position to show how good she is? I doubt it."
Bernie Ecclestone, Sydney Morning Herald, March 13.
"Bernie Ecclestone's whole motive, other than making money, is to exercise 110 per cent control. He's like a dictator, like a tsar. He takes no hostages but there are a lot of victims of people who haven't done as well as they would have liked."
Ecclestone biographer Tom Bower, ABC's 7.30, March 11.
"I still feel obviously really good about what I did. It doesn't change much. But obviously it would be nice to get the 18 points. I still stood there [on the podium] and that was a great feeling."
Disqualified driver Daniel Ricciardo, Sydney Morning Herald, March 18.
"We [the AGPC] are an entertainment company and we have to entertain the public ... When you take the excitement away, you have trouble selling tickets. You have to create demand, and part of that demand is people liking the noise of the race cars. We are resolving that with Bernie. It's clearly in breach of our contract ... and it's not what we paid for."
AGPC chairman Ron Walker, The Age, March 18.
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Your view
What do you think of Melbourne's grand prix? Is it worth the money? Is formula one racing a dying sport?
