2004 Australian Grand Prix
Pre-Race Report
Entrants
Christian Klien makes his Formula One debut for Jaguar. Bas Leinders, entered as Minardi’s third free practice driver, has been denied an FIA Super Licence due to insufficient mileage in a Formula One car; the team is seeking to satisfy the requirement before the next race.
Milestones
This race is the 150th Grand Prix for the McLaren-Mercedes partnership, in place since 1995. It is also the first race since the 2001 San Marino Grand Prix that cars compete without fully-automatic gearboxes and launch control, both of which were banned by the FIA ahead of this season. Traction control remains permitted.
Car upgrades
Ferrari arrives at Albert Park with their new F2004 — unusual in that they have not raced it elsewhere first. Renault have focused on reducing the asymmetrically-mounted radiating masses on their R24.
Adapted by AI summarisation from “2004 Australian Grand Prix” on Wikipedia . This adapted text is licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0 . Modifications: summarised and spoiler-trimmed.
Drivers' Championship
Full standings →First race of the season — championship not yet started.
Constructors' Championship
Full standings →First race of the season — championship not yet started.