Formula One is back, and like many good seasons that have come before it, 2013 kicks off in Australia around the leafy green Albert Park. For much of the paddock, it's a change from the ice and snow of the northern hemisphere to the beautiful blue skies of Melbourne, but more than that, it's a chance to prove what they've been working hard on for the last few months. We've seen launches, we've seen testing, now we get to see the results.

Event schedule

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull return to action to defend their titles, and aim to pick up their fourth in a row. In their path, some familiar names, some in less familiar places, and some new contenders alongside them. Although there is stability in the regulations, Australia often manages to surprise us, and the chaos of the "new term" feeling can produce a fascinating weekend.

Support racing for this event includes V8 Supercars, Carrera Cup and Period Sports Cars.

The weather

Although we've seen pictures flooding out of Melbourne of cloudless blue skies and glorious vistas, there is actually some talk of rain - particularly on Saturday. Just what we need in a race we're anticipating enormously already is the idea of a mixed up qualifying.

Circuit map

For the 2013 season, the FIA are concentrating on increasing the DRS zones at each circuit - trying to squeeze in double DRS wherever they can. They've also narrowed down usage in free practice and qualifying, to the specified areas that are now in force throughout the weekend.

Here in Australia, they've opted for the one detection zone with two following activations - the first coming down the home straight, and the second after the first corner.

The circuit

The circuit is made up of public roads, used throughout the season until they are sealed off for the race weekend. That gives them a super slippery status at the first try, but the grip gradually improves as the weekend wears on and cars start piling on the laps. The more mileage that is completed, the better the track comes up, and by the start of Sunday’s race, the cars are faced with a grippy, if challenging prospect.

The course is full of twists and turns, with precious few straights to take advantage of, which means that braking balance is a key priority when it comes to setting up the car correctly.

Tyre compounds

Pirelli have revised their tyres from the inside out for 2013 and are hoping to level the playing field at the start of the year, just like they did last time. They'll have to go some to get seven different race winners in the first events, but the tyre suppliers are hopeful. This year, they're tweaking the tyre choices for Melbourne, with the medium and supersoft combination making its first appearance in Australia.

Cold weather conditions during pre-season testing meant that we weren’t able to showcase them to the best of their abilities, but we are expecting a different story in Albert Park, with two to three pit stops per car. The start of any new season is always a very exciting time and from what we have observed during pre-season testing the field seems to be closer than ever.

- Paul Hembery

Press conference schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend. The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Race stewards

The FIA stewarding process was changed recently to include a former F1 driver to offer added insight. These are the stewards overseeing this weekend's action.