QUICK STATS

Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit Lap distance: 5.303 km. Total distance: 307.574km (58 laps) 2017 pole: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes one minute 22.188 seconds. 2017 winner: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari Race lap record: Michael Schumacher (Germany), Ferrari 2004, One minute 24.125 seconds Start time: 7.10am SA time CHAMPIONS For the first time in Formula One history, a season opener will have two four-time world champions Vettel and Hamilton lining up on the starting grid. RACE WINS Hamilton has 62 victories from 208 races and is second in the all-time list behind seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher (91). Vettel has 47. Ferrari have won 229 races since 1950, McLaren 182, Williams 114, Mercedes 76 and Red Bull 55. Former champions McLaren and Williams have not won since 2012.