Saturday March 16th
There is plenty to wander around and look at between races. There's super car races and ultimate speed test etc. on track.
MG Car Club supplies the cars for the drivers to do their welcome lap tomorrow. I think they look brilliant altogether.
I think Vettel's welcome car has broken down the last two years.
We'll see tomorrow if it happens again.
Porsche Carrera races
Their line up before entering the track.
View from the GP Advantage area. Very crowded usually as membership gets you in a tent with bar facilities. Good close view of the track before the main straight but I still prefer a grandstand view. I think a lot of people probably stay here all day and watch the video screens in the tent !
Qualifying races.
Jones Grandstand right up the back. It was a much better experience this year choosing different grandstands. I usually have tickets on the main straight for all the days. The turns and straights made very exciting viewing.
Qualifying Positions:
AUSTRALIAN GP QUALIFYING TIMESHEET
1) Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:20.486
2) Valtteri Bottas Mercedes +0.112
3) Sebastian Vettel Ferrari +0.704
4) Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.834
5) Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.956
6) Romain Grosjean Haas +1.340
7) Kevin Magnussen Haas +1.613
8) Lando Norris McLaren +1.818
9) Kimi Raikkonen Alfa Romeo +1.828
10) Sergio Perez Racing Point +2.295
Out in Q2
11) Nico Hulkenberg Renault 1:22.562
12) Daniel Ricciardo Renault 1:22.570
13) Alex Albon Toro Rosso 1:22.636
14) Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo 1:22.714
15) Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso 1:22.774
Out in Q1
16) Lance Stroll Racing Point 1:23.017
17) Pierre Gasly Red Bull 1:23.020
18) Carlos Sainz McLaren 1:23.084
19) George Russell Williams 1:24.360
20) Robert Kubica Williams 1:26.067
So who will win tomorrow ? I am not supporting just one team for a win. I always like to see Ricciardo finish well but with his choice to go to Renault I can't see a podium for him this year. Much talk around the track was that Ferrari were holding back a little. Vettel has won the Aust. GP the last two years but I can't see that team forgoing a pole position if they were capable of excelling in qualifying. It should be Hamilton's time for a win here.
Good luck to all drivers and teams. Here's hoping for a good accident free race with plenty of excitement.
The trophies are ready !
Displayed in the Melbourne Walk area.