2002 Australian Grand Prix

The opening round of seventeen in the 2002 Formula One World Championship. The Albert Park Circuit was confirmed on the calendar only after a coroner’s report ruled the death of marshal Graham Beveridge in the 2001 race “avoidable.” For 2002 the circuit has been upgraded: safety fences raised to 3.8 m, protective cages installed for race officials, and access openings reduced in size.

Michael Schumacher is the pre-race favourite with press and bookmakers alike, with Williams’s Juan Pablo Montoya identified as his principal rival. Schumacher’s goal is to win his fifth Drivers’ Championship and tie Juan Manuel Fangio’s all-time record of five titles. Montoya says he feels more relaxed than in 2001 now that he better understands the Williams car.

Car upgrades

Ferrari arrives with the F2001B rather than the new F2002. Team principal Jean Todt explains the F2002 was fast in testing but the team did not have enough time to ensure reliability for Australia; the car will continue development while the older chassis races. Both Ferraris carry a rear wing element derived from F2002 testing. McLaren’s MP4-17 features a new split in the lower front suspension frame to improve airflow under the front wing, along with altered front and rear ailerons. Jordan, Arrows, and Sauber have adopted a similar front wing design.

Practice

Four sessions precede the race — two one-hour sessions on Friday and two 45-minute sessions on Saturday. Michael Schumacher led all four, though changing and wet conditions prevented steady improvement.

Friday saw Barrichello spin 360 degrees across the grass and return to the circuit; Montoya braked too late and rejoined via an escape road; Yoong beached his Minardi in the Turn 1 gravel trap during a light rain shower; and Fisichella’s engine failed early.

In Saturday’s third session, Sato lost the rear at Stewart turn and hit the tyre barrier at 160 km/h. Sato was unhurt, but the session was stopped for nine minutes while marshals cleared the circuit. Because the rules prohibit spare cars in free practice, Sato missed the fourth session while his car was repaired. A brief rain shower during the fourth session meant no driver improved on the third session’s times.