Things are simmering in Formula 1: “It’s all about the show”

The dramatic Australian Grand Prix had a lot to offer, too much for quite a few. Victory by a Red Bull was usual, after Sergio Perez's success in Saudi Arabia it was now Max Verstappen's turn again. But that was almost the only constant in a Grand Prix in which many things seemed uncertain for a long time.

Collisions, red flags, long waiting times and restarts caused confusion and a bit of entertainment among the spectators, but their balance with the safety factor will be a matter of discussion until the race in Baku. The race management made dubious decisions; the second red flag was particularly criticized. An uneventful finish led by the safety car followed. “It seems like it was all about the show and they just wanted to make the show a little more exciting.” Lando Norris “It looks like it was just about the show and they just wanted to make the show a little more exciting,” said Lando Norris. The McLaren driver got out of the confusion quite well in sixth place, while his stablemate and local hero Oscar Piastri thrilled the spectators with eighth place. Things went less well for the Alpine duo Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon. They collided in the chaos after the restart and remained 13th and 14th without a point.

Expensive damage Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer had another problem: “It will be expensive. I don’t know if we’ll have the parts ready for the next race.” Other cars were also affected. The fact that the Chinese Grand Prix was not held due to Corona reasons also has something positive, it gives us more time to lick wounds. According to Verstappen, many a crash could have been prevented, but the second red flag caused confusion and provoked the incidents.

Charles Leclerc also left again. © APA/afp / PAUL CROCK

There is no doubt that the popularity of Formula 1 is on the rise, not least because of the Netflix series “Drive to Survive”. 440.000 spectators at the track over the week meant a record attendance for Albert Park. Of course, not all of them took the safety regulations so seriously; some rushed onto the track too early and thereby put themselves and others in danger. In addition, a spectator was slightly injured by a part of Kevin Magnussen's Haas that flew away.

What about the tension? Record world champion Lewis Hamilton, in turn, was able to mark the race as successful. “At least I was able to overtake Max,” said the Brit after his second place. Shortly after the start, the 38-year-old overtook the world champion, who was 13 years his junior, and later even briefly led. Second place almost felt like a triumph in the still stubborn Mercedes. “That was very unexpected,” said the veteran before leaving Down Under.

But Hamilton didn't want to know anything about a turnaround. “I don’t feel a connection to the car yet, I still feel uncomfortable,” he said, but he is far from giving up the hunt for Red Bull: “We can close the gap. It's a long way away, but not impossible.” Fernando Alonso is currently closer to Red Bull after his third third place in a row in the Aston Martin.

At least for now, Red Bull continues to compete in a league of its own. Verstappen quickly overtook Hamilton again early in the race and safely celebrated his first success in Melbourne. “We have taken a step forward,” said Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff. The failure of Hamilton's teammate George Russell weighed bitterly, while Perez drove from last place on the grid to fifth in the second Red Bull and is now 15 points behind Verstappen.

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Things are simmering in Formula 1: “It’s all about the show”

Formula 1 went on a three-week break on Sunday, a welcome one after the turbulence in Melbourne.

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