The season-opener on the Australian Grand Prix bought off to an eventful begin regardless of the combined emotions up and down the paddock concerning the new period of Method 1.
Mercedes’ George Russell transformed pole place right into a race win, with team-mate Kimi Antonelli claiming a one-two for the Silver Arrows.
Listed here are my driver rankings for the primary weekend in Melbourne:
George Russell – 9 – Imperious weekend from the Brit who has been title favorite since pre-season testing. Discovered himself with no battery for the race begin which led to a poor launch off the road and misplaced him the lead of the race. As soon as via on Charles Leclerc, was hardly ever compelled to push exhausting.
Kimi Antonelli – 7 – A great restoration from Antonelli, who was behind his Mercedes team-mate for almost all of the weekend. The massive crash in last follow left him and his mechanics with numerous work to do. Solely Max Verstappen’s pink flag in qualifying allowed Mercedes sufficient time to get out and even then, the Italian seemed on the verge of placing it within the wall. However a front-row grid spot, adopted by a poor launch and restoration again to second, results in a strong begin general.
Charles Leclerc – 7.5 – Stable, quick and a mega begin to take the lead of the race at Flip One. Nice preventing with Russell within the early phases. Did not put a foot incorrect however in the end Ferrari technique price him an opportunity at extra.
Lewis Hamilton – 7.5 – Fast from the off. There is a refreshed aura round Hamilton this yr and whereas I used to be shocked to see him not qualify forward of team-mate Leclerc, an equally good begin off the road noticed him in rivalry. Let down by Ferrari technique however had sufficient within the tank to maintain on Leclerc’s heels proper to the chequered flag.
Lando Norris – 5 – Not pleased with the brand new laws and bought very restricted working all through the weekend with varied points. Could not outqualify his team-mate Oscar Piastri however did hold issues neat and tidy and fended off Max Verstappen on the finish.
Max Verstappen – 5 – One other man completely fuming on the new laws. Appeared a little bit off all through follow and an uncharacteristic crash within the first a part of qualifying left him with work to do. Clawed his approach up via to factors from twentieth however could not pip Norris for fifth place.
Oliver Bearman – 7 – Saved quietly underneath the radar all weekend till it mattered most. Appeared a little bit behind within the midfield pack via Friday working however outqualified team-mate Esteban Ocon convincingly and fantastically raced his solution to seventh place. A fantastic begin.
Arvid Lindblad – 8 – Tremendous impressed all weekend lengthy. Had the measure of Racing Bulls team-mate Liam Lawson from the off however could not ship within the last qualifying lap which left him behind. A fantastic begin noticed him climb to 3rd from eighth. Raced properly towards Verstappen and an excellent battery-management battle with Gabriel Bortoleto on the finish resulted in a powerful eighth place on debut.
Gabriel Bortoleto – 7 – Having seemed behind Audi team-mate Nico Hulkenberg up till qualifying, the strain was on for the Brazilian in his second season however he made it into the highest 10 in qualifying on the expense of the German. Saved his nostril clear in the course of the race, managed his battles properly and delivered a easy factors end for Audi’s maiden F1 race.
Pierre Gasly – 6 – General, it was a weekend filled with disappointment for Alpine, who anticipated extra. Nonetheless attending to grips with battery administration and basic operations. Gasly managed to convincingly beat team-mate Franco Colapinto and is rewarded with a hard-earned level.
Esteban Ocon – 4 – Could not string issues collectively in qualifying and overwhelmed by team-mate Bearman. Up there within the race however finally fell again. Ocon should begin beating Briton Bearman to maintain his F1 profession alive.
