Winter always seems longer when you’re anxiously awaiting the return of F1. That wait is finally over as the 2016 season kicks off this weekend in Melbourne.
Coming off of a respectable pre-season testing program, McLaren Honda is cautiously optimistic as it looks to shake what can only be described as a poor 2015 season. Reliability woes seem to have been sorted as do energy deployment issues and a small boost in power seems to be on tap. The true test of these things comes this weekend when all eyes are on the Woking-based squad to see if they can move past 2015’s headache and heartache. If pre-season testing is an accurate indicator we can expect both cars in Q2 and a top 10 race finish from both cars.
Mercedes and Ferrari look set to pick up right where they left off in 2015 with both being at the top of the grid and with each picking up power gains in the off-season. Williams and Red Bull have expressed muted confidence as they look to see whether their 2016 offerings can move them up into territory occupied by Ferrari in 2015. Renault’s understated expectations seem to be yielding positive results after a stronger-than-expected pre-season test. Force India hopes to pick up where it left off in 2015 and are confident they can do so. Sauber and Manor will hope for better seasons than last year with the latter all but guaranteed it. Newcomer HAAS suffered a very disappointing series of test days so it is remains unclear what the team can do, expect them to need the first half of the season to get their 'sea legs’.

WEEKEND TV SCHEDULE (US):
Thursday March 17th, Free Practice 1, 9:30PM ET, NBCSN
Friday March 18th, Free Practice 2, 1:30AM ET, NBCSN
Friday March 18th, Free Practice 3, 10:00PM ET, NBC Sports Live Extra
Saturday March 19th, Qualifying, 2:00AM ET, NBCSN
Sunday March 20th, Australian Grand Prix, 12:00AM ET, NBCSN

CIRCUIT INFO:
Lap data
Lap length: 5.303km (3.295 miles)
Race laps: 58
Race distance: 307.574km (191.118 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’24.125 (226.934 kph) by Michael Schumacher, 2004
Fastest lap: 1’23.529 (228.553 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2011
Maximum speed: 312kph (193.868 mph)
DRS zone/s (race): First and second straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 380m
Car performance
Full throttle: 71%
Longest flat-out section: 843m
Downforce level: High
Gear changes per lap: 54
Fuel use per lap: 2.5kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.1s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop: 2012 21.91s by Ferrari (see full list)
2015 prime tyre**: Medium (2014: Medium)
2015 option tyre**: Soft (2012: Soft)

2015 V6 TURBO ERA RESULTS:
Race laps: 58
Pole sitter: Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes – 1:26.327
Fast race lap: Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes – 1:30.945
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
3. Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari

*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources: FIA , Williams, Mercedes