Australian Grand Prix Factfile: When does the race start? Who holds the records at Albert Park?

We have entered race week for the Australian Grand Prix? Melbourne has become the host of Formula 1's curtain-raiser in recent years and the campaign will once again get under way in Australia on Sunday. There are many questions still to be answered in 2018, here are some answers you need.

WHEN IS THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX?

The Australian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday March 25 at the Albert Park Circuit, south of Melbourne.

The race will start at 16:10 local time (06:10 GMT). Saturday's qualifying session starts at 17:00 local time (06:00 GMT).

WHO WON LAST YEAR?

Sebastian Vettel began the 2017 season with a Ferrari victory. Lewis Hamilton had put the Mercedes on pole, but the Scuderia's superior strategy won out.

WHO HAS MOST WINS?

Michael Schumacher has four Australian Grand Prix wins, a record among World Championship drivers. Jenson Button has three grand-prix wins to his name. Current drivers Hamilton, Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen have two wins in Melbourne apiece.

Ayrton Senna and Hamilton have a record six pole positions each in Australia.

McLaren have won the race 11 times in the World Championship, more than any team. Ferrari have won here eight times and Williams have five victories. Mercedes were on a streak of three-straight wins, ended by Vettel's win last year.

HOW LONG IS THE ALBERT PARK CIRCUIT?

The circuit combines 10 right-hand turns with six left-handers over 5.303 km (3.295 mi), with 58 laps adding up to a race distance of 307.574 km (191.071 mi).

WHAT IS THE LAP RECORD?

Michael Schumacher clocked the fastest in-race lap at Albert Park in 2004 in the Ferrari, stopping the watch at one minute and 24.125 seconds.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER FORECAST?

Rain is forecast on both Saturday and Sunday at Albert Park. The race last started in wet conditions back in 2010, when Jenson Button won for McLaren.

WHICH PIRELLI TYRES ARE AVAILABLE?

Pirelli will bring the soft, supersoft and ultrasoft tyres to Melbourne.