Australian GP 2023

One word to describe this race -- hectic. From the start to end, this race was anything but boring, and so, as a Formula 1 fan, I felt it was only right I wrote my personal reaction to this race. Allow me to walk you through the Australian Grand Prix, that took place on Sunday April 2, 2023.

It all began in qualifying. As many F1 fans may already know, each race week, all F1 teams are allowed three public practice sessions and a qualifying session before the race happens on Sunday. The Australian GP is hosted in the Albert Park Circuit. This circuit is known for being quite bumpy, but also a relatively faster circuit, with two DRS zones and a speed trap. In a circuit with tight corners like these, a good chassis and front end is critical in getting the upper hand. With a relatively smooth qualifying, where Max took pole in FP1, Alonso taking pole in FP2 and Max taking pole again in FP3, the qualifying was yet to begin. 

As qualifying began on Saturday, things were going progressively well until Perez had a lock up and rolled into the gravel trap in turn 3, ending his qualifying with P15, at the back of the grid. As Q3 came, the Mercedes seemed to be excelling particularly well on this track as they were competing against Verstappen and Aston Martin for pole position. As the three teams took turns on pole, it finally ended with Max on Pole (four-tenths ahead), Russel on P2 and Hamilton P3 -- A Mercedes podium. After a brilliant qualifying for the Mercedes, everyone thought this may well be a possible victory for them. 

Race day began, and it was 3pm in Albert Park as the teams strapped in their drivers and the formation lap started. All the drivers were eagerly awaiting for the race to begin. Soon, it was lights out and away they went. An amazing start for George Russel, who was already beside Verstappen in a matter of seconds. In the first corner, Russel had overtaken Verstappen and soared ahead. Hamilton quickly took advantage of the struggling Verstappen and effortlessly accelerated past him. Unfortunately, Verstappen wasn’t the only driver without an ideal start. Leclerc, who had started 7th, was now beside Alonso and above Stroll. As he was going for an overtake on the outside, he failed to notice Stroll was between him and Alonso, and both come in contact, as Leclerc slid into the gravel. His race ended, on the first corner. His teammate, Sainz, has managed to move up one place, into P4. In Lap 7, Albon had a slippery crash into the barrier in turn 7, ending his race, and causing the safety car to be deployed. Russel, who took advantage of the opportunity quickly pitted his tyres and gave up his position from P1 to P7. It would’ve been a good move except that the race was red flagged right after, so all the cars were free to pit without losing positions. Russel had given up pole position to Hamilton who pitted and would lead the race after the red flag would be cleared. 

Ten minutes later, the race adjourned on Lap 10, and the formation lap began. Hamilton, who was leading the race was free to race at whichever pace he wanted and he chose to slow down, causing a bit of chaos to the drivers behind him who weren’t prepared for the sudden braking. Magnussen had to go on the gravel because he wasn’t able to brake fast enough. After the formation lap finished, the race began. Hamilton got a wonderful start and managed to keep Verstappen at bay. Russel went from P7 to P5 in a matter of corners and Gasly had a lovely start as well as he managed to get to P4. De Vries comes into contact with Ocon, and his car is sent gently flying, but returns to the race. On lap 18/52, it all came down to Hamilton and Verstappen as they both raced each other for first position. Unfortunately, Mercedes weren't yet as fast as the rocketship of Redbull and Verstappen sailed across Hamilton on the straight with the help of DRS. Russel who managed to reach P4, had encountered an engine failure and what started out to be a brilliant race, ended with a DNF for the Mercedes driver on Lap 18. Perez managed to make up many places as he reaches P9 with a daring overtake on Ocon and Piastri. Sainz also gains P4 from Gasly with an epic overtake. On Lap 53, Magnussen’s tyre comes off after a collision in the barrier and another Red Flag is waved, stopping the race again. This was the red flag which was quite unecessary, as the tyre could’ve easily been removed and with a safety car, the matter could’ve been resolved in minutes. However, this meant that Verstappen’s 10 second gap was now gone (Abu Dhabi 2021 flashback). 

With only two more laps to the end, the race began and Verstappen managed to stay in front with Hamilton closely following. Alonso, who was P3, spun and lost positions due to Sainz hitting the wheel of his car in the first corner. His position was returned, while Sainz was given a 5-second penalty (quite unfair especially because 5 second loss in position would automatically remove him from points). Stroll had a lockup and drove into the gravel. Both Alpine’s came in contact and collided into the barriers, causing ANOTHER red flag. Definitely the most chaotic start, leaving the final lap to be done under the safety car. Verstappen taking first, Hamilton getting second and Alonso reclaiming third. A very special podium with 11 total World Championship holders.

Overall, the Australian GP was definitely bizarre and exciting but it had multiple eristic moments. The fact that three safety cars needed to be deployed was a bit ridiculous, especially the second safety car.  It’s understandable it was done to make the race more interesting especially when the first driver is 10 seconds ahead of the second. But some of FIA’s decisions have been incredibly strange, such as giving Sainz a 5-second penalty when there’s only one lap remaining, or an instance in the previous race in Jeddah, where Alonso was given a 5-second penalty for incorrect starting grid position, which was later turned into a 10-second penalty due to an incorrect pit-stop, and then removed hours after the race. 

However, I definitely enjoyed the race and watching Mercedes at the front, even if it was for just a while. Ferrari have been especially disappointing since the start of the season, and competing for podiums seems unrealistic for the team this year :(( Mercedes and Aston Martin look particularly strong this season, and I hope that by the middle of the season, both will manage to get race victories. This race would be a solid 8/10 and can’t wait for Baku!