After a 2-year Corona break: Formula 1 back Down Under

Bottas is now driving for Alfa Romeo, Hamilton has been dethroned, there are new aerodynamic rules that are currently keeping Mercedes behind. However, Ferrari and Red Bull are looking forward to the Grand Prix (Sunday, 7 a.m. CEST).

After the double victory for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in Bahrain and second and third place in Saudi Arabia, the Italians lead the drivers' and constructors' championships and have been considered the team to beat since the rule changes since the tests in February. However, the Austrian-British team around reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who celebrated his 14st GP victory in Jeddah a fortnight ago, is traveling at a similar pace.

In Melbourne, where a lot of changes have been made to the street circuit, the Dutchman wants to build on this performance. “It will be interesting to see the track updates. I think they will make a big difference, especially in turn six. There should now also be more overtaking opportunities, which is always positive,” Verstappen said excitedly. The circuit in Melbourne should now be faster and more spectacular. © APA/afp / JOE KLAMAR

That was exactly one of the main criticisms of the Melbourne GP: monotonous races due to a lack of overtaking opportunities. Now seven corners have been modified and two have been deleted entirely, reducing the total to 14. Turn one was widened to avoid collisions at the start, as was turn six, which should increase the speed by 70 km/h. The old chicane between turns nine and ten has been removed. The result is a 1,3 kilometer long “straight” where drivers can accelerate. The changes have paved the way for four DRS zones where drivers can unpack their overtaking maneuvers.

The Formula 1 World Championship did not start as expected for Mercedes and seven-time champion Hamilton. After finishing tenth in Saudi Arabia, the 37-year-old Brit tried to clear his head by skydiving in Dubai. In the World Cup duel between Verstappen and Leclerc, the former long-term winner is currently just an extra, his historic eighth World Cup title is far away. “We were at the forefront for eight years. “It’s extremely painful to no longer be a part of it – and with quite a bit of time behind us,” said Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

After a 2-year Corona break: Formula 1 back Down Under

After two years of Corona absence, Formula 1 returns to Australia this weekend. The last race in the premier motorsport class so far took place in Melbourne's Albert Park in 2019, with Mercedes celebrating a double victory with Valtteri Bottas ahead of Lewis Hamilton. A lot has changed since then.

Suggestions

Comments (0)