The Australian Formula One Grand Prix has come and gone, and although it marks the start of a new season, the plot was very much the same as last year.
Mercedes are yet again the team to beat, by a considerable margin. Pastor Maldonado is still a liability more suited to the dodgem cars at Luna Park, and the Red Bull cars are a shadow of their former glories.
On the flip side, the Ferrari team have strapped a few more horses to the front of their cars, and have the sort of pace that has been eluding them for the last few seasons, the Toro Rosso and Sauber cars are fast, and there’s still a whole season ahead for further development.
So what have we learnt after the first race of 2015?
Dominance
The Mercedes Formula One Team will again be racing against themselves this year, providing reliability isn’t an issue. It is no coincidence that some of the best races last year were the ones in which the Mercedes cars broke down.
If you don’t want to be bored, forget about the Mercedes altogether and start caring about the battle for third place. The Lewis versus Nico duel will again we compelling, but the 30-50 second gap behind them will not.
The Renaissance
Ferrari is Formula One, and they are back! Both Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikonnen were fast, and it seems they will be going toe-to-toe with Williams for the right to smell Mercedes’ fumes. Although Raikonnen had to retire at Albert Park, he was setting some of the fastest laps of the race right up until he parked it up, and Vettel’s podium will give the team plenty to cheer about.
McLaren
Fernando Alonso will be looking at his former Ferrari team with a lot of resentment, particularly when his current car isn’t even good enough for the Sunday supermarket run. The Honda has a lot of work to do, with Jenson Button cutting a lonely figure at the back of the race, lapped twice. The positive, they got a race distance in, but Button and Alonso deserve much better than to be this far back.
The Youngsters
Carlos Sainz Jr and Max Verstappen could not have had a more perfect race, with a smaller field giving them a great platform for starting their career, and they looked solid. It’s great to see young talent coming through, and although they’ve only had one race, they looked very comfortable behind the wheel. The confidence that the pair have gained will bode well for the season ahead. The Toro Rosso is no slouch either, so expect to see them racing wheel to wheel with some of the best drivers.
The Mathematicians
The Sauber Team have all sorts of problems, the most severe being that they can’t count! Three does not go into two, but that’s what their payroll is telling us. Despite the court dramas, the Saubers put in a solid performance, gaining some all important points with a fifth and eighth place finish. They were one of the rare teams who finished with both cars, valuable points for a team battling financial troubles. They just need a third car now!
The Irony
Red Bull are already singing the equalisation tune, convinced Mercedes should be reigned in by the FIA. Ironically, it wasn’t too long ago they were in the position that Mercedes now finds themselves in. The Renault engine is simply horrific, and the fact Daniel Ricciardo managed to get it home into sixth is nothing short of amazing, particularly seeing as he hadn’t driven much over the weekend.
Let’s not forget that Red Bull had a slow start last season, and managed three race wins, but there is a long way ahead for RBR.
The Washup
It’s all Lewis and Nico again in 2015 by the looks of it, but the season is only just beginning, and there are plenty of twists and turns to come. Expect huge improvements from Red Bull and McLaren, and the battles between Williams and Ferrari already look enticing.
Who was your driver of the Australian Grand Prix, discounting the Mercedes duo?
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The absolute vitriol against the Canadian that has come from the incident is beyond reprehensible.
The Long Beach Grand Prix is the Monaco of American motorsport, and this past weekend, the IndyCar Series reminded everyone exactly why. We witnessed…
New Zealand made a triumphant return to the Supercars championship calendar since the demise of the much-loved Pukekohe Park Raceway – as Taupō delivered…
Ricciardo was forced to retire after the Aston Martin driver slammed into the back of his car during a safety car restart but Stroll…
It’s time that serious questions are asked of his Lance Stroll and his future in the team.
Five-years is a long time in motorsport, let alone the general state of the world – especially given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic…
