The 2011 Formula One season  kicked off with the Qantas Australian Grand Prix. The event opening added even more excitement to the already glamorous and electric atmosphere that surrounds this event, the fastest single seat car racing championship in the world. The championship was held at Albert Park from 25^th to the 27^th of March in Melbourne. Melbourne first hosted the Grand Prix in 16 years ago and it’s still a great place to race. Twice world champion and veteran of 150 Grand Prix starts Fernando Aloso, who won here in 2006 adds: “The Melbourne weekend is one of my favourites, especially as there is such a great atmosphere in the paddock and in the whole city throughout the event. There is a real buzz about the place and everyone seems to get involved in what’s going on. The track sees a lot of action and it’s nice to see the packed grandstands: the crowd is enthusiastic and knowledgeable with a real interest in motor sport.”  Thousands turned out to watch and support Aussie Mark Webber race along the world’s premier drivers, such as World Champion Sebastian Vettel and defending Australian Grand Prix champion Jenson Button in the hope of breaking his winning drought on home soil. The event attracts over 110 000 fans to the track on race day and has a global TV audience of over 600 million tuning in for the race. Photographs and text by Zoltan Szekely Edited by Katie Fergus & Grant Scott