Albert Park's starting grid shake-up

The starting grid has been altered for next weekend’s Supercars round at Albert Park, the Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint.

ARMOR ALL Pole will move from the drivers’ left to now be on the right on what is a staggered grid in Melbourne.

Last year, pole was on the drivers’ right, where Formula 1 cars start the Sunday Grand Prix.

Pole position for the four Supercars sprint races will launch from fourth position for the F1 field at Albert Park.

Per the event Further Supplementary Regulations: "The grid will be a 1×1 formation with pole position for Supercars on the right-hand side (in the F1 position 4th place).

"The first three (3) F1 grid positions will be left vacant."

This year’s Albert Park will be the first for the new Gen3 cars, which made their racing debut at the Thrifty Newcastle 500.

Driver visibility is behind the change, although it sees pole position take the inside line for Turn 1, albeit on the 'dirty' line.

The start lights gantry Albert Park is located in the centre of the starting grid.

The grid change aligns with Supercars events, where pole-sitters start relative to the inside for Turn 1.

In the case of Newcastle, that was on drivers’ right.

The first corner at the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit is a right-hander into a slight left-hand kink.

Supercars will race on all four days of the Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint, which runs on March 30-April 2.

Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023: Session times

Thursday-Saturday times AEDT

Thursday, March 30

Friday, March 31

Saturday, April 1

Sunday, April 2

Sunday times AEST