1985 Australian Grand Prix
Final win for Rosberg; last F1 race for Lauda.
The 1985 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on the Adelaide Street Circuit in Adelaide on 3 November 1985. It was the sixteenth and final race of the 1985 Formula One World Championship, the 50th running of the Australian Grand Prix, and the first to be held on the streets of Adelaide. The race was won by Keke Rosberg driving a Williams-Honda, marking his final Formula One victory.
Quick Facts
- Grand Prix
- Australian
- Country
- Australia
- Date
- 3 November
- Year
- 1985
- Race No
- 16
- Official Name
- L Mitsubishi Australian Grand Prix
- Course
- Temporary street circuit
- Location
- Adelaide Street Circuit / Adelaide, South Australia
- Course Mi
- 2.362
- Course Km
- 3.780
- Distance Laps
- 82
- Distance Mi
- 193.684
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Adelaide Street Circuit was received extremely positively by the paddock, with drivers enjoying a wide, fast layout unlike Monaco or Detroit. The circuit included a 900-metre straight named Brabham Straight, where cars exceeded 200 mph. The only complaint was a lack of grip on the newly laid surface, which caused graining in tyres. The event's organization was so well-regarded that promoters received the Formula One Promotional Trophy for 1985. Bernie Ecclestone noted that Adelaide raised standards for future circuits.
Reader's Guide
The 1985 Australian Grand Prix marked the end of an era: it was Keke Rosberg's final Formula One victory, the last race for Alfa Romeo until 2019, and the last F1 race for three-time world champion Niki Lauda. It was also the last win by a Finnish driver until Mika Häkkinen in 1997. The race featured high attrition, with only eight cars classified. A notable incident occurred on the penultimate lap when Philippe Streiff damaged his front axle while attempting to overtake his teammate, yet limped home to third place—his only career podium. The event confirmed Adelaide's reputation as a successful street circuit and set a new benchmark for Formula One organization.
Did You Know?
- Keke Rosberg's victory was the last Formula One win of his career.
- Philippe Streiff finished third despite having only three wheels firmly attached to his car on the final lap.
- The only Australian driver, Alan Jones, drove the first Formula One car onto the new circuit during practice.
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