In the build up to the Australian Grand Prix, I discussed the prospects for the race with some friends online. I stuck my neck out and predicted that Jenson Button would emerge victorious, based on McLaren's assured and consistent pre-season, and an expectation that the man from Somerset would have everything "together" for the opener, in his usual neat fashion.
And so it proved. A performance of some aplomb and authority from Button, who was assertive when he needed to be, at the start of the race, and at the restart following the safety car period. Although his lead was never that vast on the stop-watch, he was not seriously challenged throughout. However, there was plenty of interest and significance behind him.
Button's confident display clearly impacted on Lewis Hamilton, whose demeanour post-race was much remarked upon. There has been major comment on how Hamilton has addressed some "issues" over the winter, but it is easy to forget that his team-mate has also worked hard and prepared assiduously, albeit with less media fanfare. Even when we make allowances for the vagaries of tyre wear, strategies and safety car interludes, Lewis clearly knows that he will have his work cut out this season, and was clearly perceptive in his recent assessment that Button constitutes his greatest threat, as things stand.
One of the major talking points of the race was the tenacious performance of Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari. This must have given the Italian team some heart, after their travails during testing and also throughout practice and qualifying in Melbourne. Once again, Alonso exhibited his fighting qualities, and his ability to transcend technical deficiencies.
Felipe Massa was less impressive than his team-mate, and although he could not be totally blamed for the collision with Bruno Senna, it will not have helped his cause too much. His performance will inevitably be contrasted with the praiseworthy effort of Alonso.
Red Bull were not quite on the pace, but the remarks emanating from their camp suggest that they are not quite extracting the maximum potential from their machine, and that there is more to come. Perhaps Malaysia, a different kind of circuit, will reveal more, and give us a truer barometer of the relative strengths of McLaren and Red Bull. Sebastian Vettel stuck to his task, and showed some gritty racer's attributes. The reigning champion has acknowledged that McLaren have built an effective car, but is remaining positive.
Mercedes promised much, but the results just did not materialise in the race proper. There were hints of tyre-related difficulties. Michael Schumacher was in a good position when he was forced out, but Nico Rosberg, after a bright start, struggled to make serious headway later on. Still, it is clearly premature to discount a team with their resources and expertise.
Of the rest, Williams' rebirth has been pleasing to behold, although the outcome in Melbourne was ultimately frustrating. Of course, whether they can sustain this early form remains to be seen. Pastor Maldonado no doubt silenced some of his critics today, but equally his detractors will have nodded sagely at some of his antics, culminating in the late crash. Senna was unlucky at the start, and judging by his team-mate's pace, may have been well up the field. Race pace is all well and good, but perhaps the Williams hierarchy need to remind their drivers that the odd solid points finish would not go amiss.....
The Saubers to some degree justified the good things said about them following the pre-season tests, although they pursued what could be described as a conservative race strategy. That said, both drivers raced hard and resolutely, with Kobayashi giving us some reminders of the form he showed when he first entered F1.
Romain Grosjean was not able to build on his excellent qualifying effort, lacking momentum off the grid, and then being despatched into the gravel by Maldonado. However, things look promising for Lotus, with F1 returnee Kimi Raikkonen showing real spirit as the race progressed, clearly trying hard, and giving us the occasional glimpse of "the old Kimi".
Overall, this was an encouraging start to the new F1 season. Although McLaren have an advantage at this stage, it is clearly surmountable, and the evolution of the regulations, together with a minor reshuffling in the pack, has delivered a cocktail which looks like providing a fine spectacle. There was much good dicing throughout the field in Australia, and we can only hope that this continues.
And so on to Sepang. I,for one, am definitely looking forward it!
No comments:
Post a Comment