Welcome to the F1 24 Australia Track Guide!
Learn how to master the Albert Park Circuit with this comprehensive breakdown of each sector, accurate corner details, historical highlights, and essential setup tips. Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or exploring the circuit for the first time, this guide will help you sharpen your racing skills in Australia.
Circuit Overview
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Length: 5.278 km (3.280 miles)
- Corners: 14
- Layout: A blend of fast straights, challenging chicanes, and technical turns.
- Surface: Smooth asphalt, moderate tire wear.
- Unique Feature: A semi-permanent circuit combining public roads with track-specific features.
Sector 1: Turns 1–5
- Turn 1: A fast and decisive braking zone at the end of the main straight. Brake just after the 100m board and focus on hitting the apex cleanly. Avoid taking too much inside curb to keep the car stable through the exit.
- Turn 2: A smooth, flowing corner that leads onto a short straight. Gradually apply the throttle to maintain traction and carry momentum.
- Turn 3: A tight, medium-speed turn that demands precision. Brake late, but balance the car carefully to prevent oversteer on entry.
- Turn 4: A swift left-hand flick where maintaining speed is key. Hug the inside curb without scrubbing off too much pace.
- Turn 5: A flat-out right-hand kink that sets the tone for Sector 2. Use the full track width to optimize your line and prepare for the upcoming technical sections.
Sector 2: Turns 6–8
- Turn 6: This medium-speed right-hander requires precision and balance. Brake firmly and carry speed into the corner while maintaining control. Look for an early throttle application as you exit to maximize acceleration into Turn 7.
- Turn 7: A short, sweeping left-hander that rewards smooth steering inputs and a stable car setup. Approach it with a wide entry, clip the inside curb gently, and use the full track width on exit to maintain flow.
- Turn 8: A gentle right-hand kink that transitions into a high-speed zone. Stick to the racing line here, keeping the car balanced and minimizing steering corrections to maintain speed. Prepare yourself for the braking into turn 9, this is where a decent lap time can be won or lost.
Sector 3: Turns 9–14
- Turn 9: The entry to a challenging high-speed chicane. Brake hard and position your car precisely for a sharp turn-in. Attack the apex confidently but avoid overcommitting to the curbs, as this can destabilize the car.
- Turn 10: The second part of the chicane that demands precision on exit. Focus on maintaining a clean, stable line and prioritize a strong exit to carry maximum momentum into the straight.
- Turn 11: A fast and challenging right-hander that demands full commitment. Approach with a wide entry and use every inch of the track on the exit to maintain momentum. Keep the car stable, as even slight oversteer can compromise your line and cost you valuable time.
- Turn 12: A high-speed, flowing right-hand corner that requires precision and balance. Stay smooth on the throttle and avoid overcorrecting your steering to prevent running wide onto the curbs. A clean exit here sets you up perfectly for the final couple of corners.
- Turn 13: A slower, technical left-hand corner that tests your braking accuracy. Brake hard but smoothly and utilize trail braking, aiming to clip the apex without losing traction. Prioritize a stable exit, as a poor line here will impact your approach to the final corner.
- Turn 14: The last corner of the lap and one of the most critical. Brake slightly earlier than you think, ensuring you hit the apex cleanly. Focus on getting an optimal exit, as this leads onto the long start/finish straight, where top speed is crucial. This corner can be extremely challenging and often traction can be lost easily, maintain a steady throttle input to maximise corner exit.
Full Qualifying Lap
In this section, you’ll find my full Australia F1 24 qualifying lap video where I aim to challenge myself against real-world qualifying lap times.
Previous Pole Lap Times
- 2024: Max Verstappen – 1:15.915
- 2023: Max Verstappen – 1:16.732
- 2022: Charles Leclerc – 1:17.868
- 2021: Cancelled – Covid-19
- 2020: Cancelled – Covid-19
Australia F1 24 setup
For my Australia F1 24 Grand Prix qualifying lap, I used a setup designed for a 35% race distance using 100 AI difficulty. It provides a solid foundation that you can fine-tune and adapt to your driving style. I’ve gone for a ‘set it and forget it’ approach, meaning you won’t need to adjust the brake bias or on-throttle diff during the race, which is perfect if you’re not comfortable making adjustments on the fly.
| Aerodynamics | Front wing | 38 |
| Rear wing | 24 | |
| Transmission | Differential on-throttle | 50% |
| Differential off-throttle | 35% | |
| Engine braking | 70% | |
| Suspension Geometry | Front camber | -3.50 |
| Rear camber | -2.20 | |
| Front toe-out | 0.00 | |
| Rear toe-in | 0.00 | |
| Suspension | Front suspension | 41 |
| Rear suspension | 1 | |
| Front anti-roll bar | 21 | |
| Rear anti-roll bar | 21 | |
| Front ride height | 25 | |
| Rear ride height | 65 | |
| Brakes | Brake pressure | 100% |
| Front brake bias | 55% | |
| Tyres | Front right tyre pressure | 27.0psi |
| Front left tyre pressure | 25.5psi | |
| Rear right tyre pressure | 24.0psi | |
| Rear left tyre pressure | 23.5psi |
Memorable Moments in Australia F1 History
- Jenson Button’s Brawn GP Fairy tale – 2009
The 2009 Australia Grand Prix marked the start of an incredible fairy tale for Jenson Button and the newly-formed Brawn GP team. With their car’s innovative double diffuser design, Button dominated the race, starting from pole and leading almost every lap to secure a historic victory. It was the first race win for Brawn GP, setting the stage for a championship-winning season. - Fernando Alonso’s Huge Crash – 2016
The 2016 Australia Grand Prix witnessed one of the most dramatic crashes in modern F1 history. Fernando Alonso collided with Esteban Gutiérrez, launching his McLaren into a terrifying airborne flip before slamming into the barriers. Miraculously, Alonso walked away unharmed, a testament to F1’s advancements in safety. - The Cancelled Grand Prix – 2020
The 2020 Australia Grand Prix became a defining moment in F1 history, not for on-track action but for its abrupt cancellation. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally, the race was called off just hours before the start of the event, marking an unprecedented moment that reshaped the F1 calendar and the world of motorsport. - Lap 1 Chaos – 2002
The 2002 Australia Grand Prix delivered one of the most chaotic opening laps in F1 history. A collision between Ralf Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello triggered a massive pile-up involving eight cars, leaving half the grid out of contention by Turn 1. The dramatic start highlighted the unforgiving nature of the Albert Park circuit. - Eddie Irvine’s Maiden Victory – 1999
Eddie Irvine clinched his first career win at the 1999 Australia Grand Prix in a Ferrari. With teammate Michael Schumacher side lined due to injury, Irvine stepped up and delivered a confident performance, taking the top step of the podium and proving his worth as a strong contender for the championship that year.
I’ve included some of these memorable moments from the Australia Grand Prix not just because I’m a sim racer, but because I’m a huge Formula 1 fan as well. It would be great to hear some of your favourite memorable moments too—share them in the comments below!
Personal Lap Reflection
Australia has always been one of my favourite circuits, and I’ve raced here for years across many different F1 games. The track never fails to deliver thrilling racing and a unique challenge to master. Precision is key, with several areas that can make or break a lap. To maximize your lap time, nailing the entry and exit of Turn 1 is essential, as is navigating the high-speed Turn 9-10 chicane with precision.
Reflecting on my pole lap at 100 AI difficulty, I was happy with the overall performance but saw opportunities for improvement. At Turn 1, I could have taken more kerb, which would’ve opened up Turn 2 and allowed me to carry more speed onto the straight. The rest of the lap went smoothly until Turn 11, where I turned in slightly too early, riding too much kerb. This unsettled the car and forced me to run wide on the exit, costing a fraction of time. While the lap was solid, small adjustments like these could have made it even better.
I may not be an Esports driver—they’re on a completely different skill level—but that’s the beauty of sim racing: it’s a sport anyone can enjoy. Whether you’re on a console or PC, using a controller or a fully kitted racing rig, sim racing offers hours of fun and countless opportunities to improve. It’s not just about chasing the perfect lap; it’s about the journey, the excitement, and the sheer thrill of racing. So fire up your setup, get your gear ready, and let’s hit the track!
As much as I love sim racing, I’m also a passionate Formula 1 fan, and that passion inspires me to create guides like this. I’d love to hear how this setup works for you and what lap times you’re able to achieve. Feel free to share your results in the comments below, along with any memorable moments you’ve experienced at the Australian Grand Prix. Let’s celebrate the joy of racing together!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Australia Grand Prix circuit at Albert Park is a true test of skill, precision, and adaptability. From the challenging entry into Turn 1 to the high-speed complexity of the Turn 9-10 chicane, this track rewards those who master its nuances while offering exciting moments for racers of all levels.
Whether you’re pushing for the perfect qualifying lap or enjoying the thrill of wheel-to-wheel racing, this guide is designed to help you unlock your potential on this iconic circuit. Remember, sim racing isn’t just about the results—it’s about the passion, the pursuit of improvement, and the joy of the journey.
I hope this guide enhances your experience at Albert Park and helps you shave those crucial tenths off your lap time. If you’ve found success with the setup or have memorable moments from your races here, I’d love to hear about them. Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share your experience with the community.
Now it’s over to you—time to hit the track, push the limits, and enjoy every moment. Lights out, and away we go!
I put together this track guide using my trusty Fanatec GT DD Pro 8Nm racing wheel paired with the F1 Esports V2 rim, along with modded CSL pedals for that extra responsiveness. I race on the PS5, seated comfortably in my modified Playseat Challenge. To elevate my performance even further, I gear up with specialized gloves and boots that provide the perfect grip and feel. This setup has truly enhanced my control and precision on the track, making every racing session not just competitive, but incredibly enjoyable!
“Looking for more tips and in-depth guides? Check out my YouTube channel for detailed walkthroughs, pole lap videos, and setup insights for every track. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest updates and sim racing content!”