Australian Grand Prix: Podium Example

In 2020, the Melbourne race opened the season. The teams successfully completed winter testing – then they were cut to six days for the first time, everyone talked about a possible joining of forces and discussed a new problem – an outbreak of the coronavirus, which delayed the Chinese Grand Prix in mid-February. But in Australia, they urged residents and tourists not to fear anything, explaining that the virus will come someday, and life goes on. Then no one believed that it was serious and for a long time.

Before the stage, everyone in Formula 1 passed the test for Covid-19. Then the result became known only on the fifth day. If any of the riders had been sick, they would have known about it after the finish — and the race would have taken place. But on Thursday it turned out that one of McLaren’s employees, who had previously passed the test, became ill, causing real panic in the paddock and local authorities. There is no trace of yesterday’s optimism.

On Thursday evening, McLaren Racing announced its withdrawal from the Australian Grand Prix. The championship and team leaders have convened an emergency meeting. Most teams were ready to race as soon as they arrived, including Mercedes, but the German headquarters did not support this idea – and pressure from the board of directors forced Toto Wolff to withdraw his consent. It was also about motorcycles, without which it is impossible to race.

On Friday morning, Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey and local promoter Andrew Westacott announced that the race had been cancelled. Fans can collect their money at the box office and the teams must return home.

Events grew like a snowball – and a few days later, Formula 1 literally stopped. The team’s bases were closed due to quarantine, the road Ferrari factory in Maranello stopped. The epidemic developed quickly, broke the usual way of life and collected victims …

Man is so arranged that he adapts to everything. Several months passed, special rules and strict regulations were developed – and in the summer of 2020, Formula 1 was the first to start holding international competitions, giving the world hope for the best.

Two years have passed since then and three years since the last race in Australia. Many teams have switched drivers. The generation of cars has changed. Fernando Alonso returned and Kimi Raikkonen retired. Much has indeed changed in the world.

The epidemic is said to have abated, although Riccardo and Vettel have just been sick and missed the first two phases. Surprises are possible, recently Novak Djokovic was not allowed to enter Melbourne due to the lack of vaccinations, but last year they introduced a mandatory vaccination in Formula 1.

The expression that everything changes quickly in Formula 1 seems a well-known cliché. But as soon as the leader makes a mistake, someone else takes his place. One team takes half a step back, the other half a step forward – and they’re already separated by so much that it’s not possible to regain this gap for a year or two.

Changes in the balance of power always have a human factor. Earlier, when changing the regulations, they mentioned the genius of Adrian Newey, who built many championship cars, but in recent years he has lost interest somewhat and the design process has changed – now everyone has excellent software, employees are migrating along with information and technology. Genius still matters, but budget and engines determine a lot.

Yesterday, Mercedes power plants were considered the standard. They even had to intentionally reduce power so as not to dominate too much. But in war all means are good. Honda unexpectedly announced their resignation, Red Bull issued an ultimatum – either freeze the engines or we leave – and enticed Mercedes’ strongest mechanics.

At qualifying in Jeddah, cars with Mercedes engines took the last five places, only newcomer George Russell made it to the final. Excellent combination from Helmut Marko. And in the conditions of the freezing of the rules, it will not be possible to quickly regain it. This time he is the architect of Red Bull’s success.

Helmut Marko: “With the transition to the new chassis and engines in Mercedes, they can no longer just push a button and go ahead of everyone. And the fact that Andy Cowell and fifty other good specialists left them also played a part.

There is a feeling that Ferrari was just not taken seriously at Red Bull. For years the team was completely focused on the battle against Mercedes, last year they finally won the title – and expected to consolidate their success.

Unexpectedly discovered by the pressure, although it is always there in Italy, Ferrari focused on a new car. In 2021 they did not participate in the championship race, they did not have to prepare any novelties until the end. In Scuderia they solved one problem after another – and already at the end of last season they assessed the potential of the hybrid part of their power plant. Now the combustion engine has also been updated, and the new car turned out to be beautiful. And without DRS, in Jeddah, Charles Leclerc would have taken a second win in a row.

It’s great that the battle between the two teams is so even this year, but like last season only two have been involved so far. Then it was Verstappen and Hamilton, now it is Verstappen and Leclerc.

Where are their partners? Sainz and Perez are one step behind. Sergio won his first pole position alone in the 215th Grand Prix, ahead of Carlos to take 144th the next leg, but he only finished second at the start once.

These are the realities of Formula 1 – teams always bet on the favourite, even when formally talking about equality. There’s just no other way. Otherwise, their own riders will take points from each other.