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Mercedes AMG started off the 2019 Formula One season in dominant fashion, as Valtteri Bottas broke his drought of victories going back to 2017 by winning the Australian Grand Prix.
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After all the testing and all the practice, the time has come at last for the opening race of the 2019 Formula One world championship and where better for a new year to launch, than with the Australian Grand Prix. Join The Roar for a live blog, starting from 4:10pm AEDT.
The 5.3km Albert Park semi-street circuit lends itself once again to the traditional season opener, with a 58-lap grand prix to have its usual late afternoon starting time.
Overtaking has traditionally been difficult here, though with a change in the front-wing regulations for 2019 making them less intricate, may aid the drivers in passing their rivals. As would the use of DRS in three different parts of the track.
Lewis Hamilton opened his pole positions account for 2019 by claiming his eighth pole at Albert Park and a sixth consecutive, which equals a record set by both Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.
Mercedes AMG locked out the front-row of the grid, with Valtteri Bottas achieving his best qualifying result in Melbourne.
The Finn expressed that he was ‘blown away’ by Hamilton’s performance in qualifying – though he would have an eye on breaking his drought of wins dating back to 2017.
“Tyres were no headache and we expect a straightforward race,” were Vettel’s remarks following qualifying in regards to strategy for the grand prix, which should be a two-stop affair.
Vettel starts the race third and is the reigning race victor, having won the Australian Grand Prix for the past two years running. A hattrick of wins may have to come through strategy once again.
On his Ferrari debut, Charles Leclerc will have to contend with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ahead from fifth on the grid. Red Bull has been better on the long runs throughout the weekend, speaking to the volumes of their new Honda power-unit’s reliability.
Renault and Daniel Ricciardo face an uphill battle to score points in the Aussie’s home race, starting from twelfth on the grid. Overtaking is the 29-year old’s forte and it will take some hustling to be able to pass the cars ahead.
Faster cars of Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz will also be seen coming through the field, following their shock Q1 eliminations. The Spaniard would have been ruing a missed opportunity in qualifying, given that his rookie teammate is eighth.
Mercedes AMG and Hamilton have looked ominous all weekend and are favourites for the race, though can someone else upset the world champion’s momentum?
Tune in on The Roar from 4:10pm AEDT for build up and live blog updates of the Australian Grand Prix, as we prepare to embrace Formula One for another exciting season.
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