Albert Park is a fast but a slippery circuit (because it is an urban circuit) especially during the first free practice sessions on Friday . Cars to cope with it have a lot of downforce . The circuit is high demand of braking and predicting brake ware is difficult considering the changing grip conditions over the week-end’s racing
Length: 5.303 km
Number of laps: 58 ( 307.574 km)
Type of brakings: Heavy
Number of brakings: 8
Pole 2008: L. Hamilton – 1’26’’714
Pole 2009: J. Button - 1’26’’202
Difference : 0’00’’512
Time spent under braking per lap: 14 %
Kurve 1
Initial speed 2009 : 301 Km/h
Initial speed 2008 : 309 Km/h
Difference : - 8 Km/h
Final speed 2009: 165 Km/h
Final speed 2008: 151 Km/h
Difference : + 14 km/h
Stopping distance 2009 : 77 m
Stopping distance 2008: 102 m
Difference : - 25 m
Braking time 2009 : 1.28 seconds
Braking time 2008: 1.7 seconds
Difference : - 0.42 seconds
Maximum deceleration 2009 : 5,32 g
Maximum deceleration 2008 : 4.5 g
Difference : + 0.8 g
Maximum pedal load 2009 : 140 Kg
Maximum pedal load 2008 : 131 Kg
Difference : + 9 kg
Kurve 3
Initial speed 2009 : 286 Km/h
Initial speed 2008: 290 Km/h
Difference : - 4 km/h
Final speed 2009 : 143 Km/h
Final speed 2008 : 139 Km/h
Difference : + 4 km/h
Stopping distance 2009 : 81 m
Stopping distance 2008: 91 m
Difference : - 10 m
Braking time 2009 : 1.47 seconds
Braking time 2008: 1.6 seconds
Difference : - 0.13 seconds
Maximum deceleration 2009 : 4.87 g
Maximum deceleration 2008: 4.0 g
Difference : + 0.87 g
Maximum pedal load 2009 : 128 Kg
Maximum pedal load 2008 : 123 Kg
Difference : + 5 kg
Kurve 4
Initial speed 2009 : 288 Km/h
Initial speed 2008 : 287 Km/h
Difference : + 1 km/h
Final speed 2009 : 113 Km/h
Final speed 2008 : 120 Km/h
Difference : - 7 km/h
Stopping distance 2009 : 96 m
Stopping distance 2008 : 93 m
Difference : + 3 m
Braking time 2009 : 1.93 seconds
Braking time 2008 : 1.8 seconds
Difference : + 0.13 seconds
Maximum deceleration 2009 : 4.85 g
Maximum deceleration 2008 : 4.6 g
Difference : + 0.25 g
Maximum pedal load 2009 : 128 Kg
Maximum pedal load 2008 : 146 Kg
Difference : - 18 kg
Kurve 6
Initial speed 2009 : 297 Km/h
Initial speed 2008 : 301 Km/h
Difference : - 4 km/h
Final speed 2009 : 149 Km/h
Final speed 2008 : 148 Km/h
Difference : + 1 km/h
Stopping distance 2009 : 83 m
Stopping distance 2008 : 90 m
Difference : - 7 m
Braking time 2009 : 1.45 seconds
Braking time 2008 : 1.5 seconds
Difference : - 0.5 seconds
Maximum deceleration 2009 : 5.19 g
Maximum deceleration 2008 : 4.7 g
Difference : + 0.49 g
Maximum pedal load 2009: 137 Kg
Maximum pedal load 2008 : 149 Kg
Difference : - 12 kg
Comparing 2009 – 2008 data we can easily figure the followings
n Top speed is slightly reduced despite aero cutting , probably because of engine less power ( 18.000 r.p.m. instead of 19.000 r.p.m. ) .
n Curve entry speed is slightly increased because of slick tyres .
n Braking conditions have become more challenging for 2009 as g forces under braking have increased by little .