F1 2024

[Batgirl]

The Melbourne race did not disappoint.

I saw a cartoon depicting someone from the northern hemisphere waking up to see the headlines of 'Verstappen DNF, Hamilton DNF, Russell DNF and Carlos Sainz with an appendix scar wins the Melbourne GP! You would think that headline was a joke!

The joy that apparently erupted at the track when Sainz overtook Verstappen who slowed at Lap 3 with a slow smoky car with brake issues limping into the garage was huge. I know the joy I felt in my lounge room watching the tv seeing him exit the race safely but without chance of rejoining. Sometimes you just want someone else to win.

The last time Max was a DNF was Melbourne back in 2022.

Lewis Hamilton's car suffered engine failure on Lap 17.

George Russell's crash was a bit scary in the last lap. I hate to say it but when it came to him being behind Fernando Alonso fighting for  sixth position even I was waiting for Alonso to pull something out of the bag to put Russell off his game. 

After the race the stewards penalised Alonso 20 seconds for dangerously allegedly brake testing at Turn six which resulted in Russell's demise with a dangerous on its side car in the last lap. (I was surprised they called a virtual safety car rather than a red flag. I too wouldn't want to be in the middle of the track of the last lap even with a virtual safety car).

Kick Sauber are an absolute joke with their slow pit stops. They continue to put their drivers in poor positions with 50 second pit stops. They blame the new equipment that they are still getting used to with wheel nut issues. 

Norris and Piastri finished third and fourth behind the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. McLaren instructed Piastri before halfway to swap positions with Norris which he did without issue. Piastri pitted on Lap 10 whereas Norris stayed out for a further 5 laps and then team orders were imposed. Piastri is young and learning so has no issue with following team orders. Some people thought that Norris should have been pitted earlier and might have gained an advantage on Leclerc. Despite that I had thought that McLaren looked good in practice so I'll take that as a win for my predicting skills!

Alex Albon's takeover as the only Williams car on the track didn't end in points with Alex finishing 11th.

Dan Ricciardo finished 12th.

Alpine are in real trouble this year unless they have amazing upgrades to their cars and Haas were happy with the results of Hulkenberg 9th and Magnussen 10th. Double points is amazing for them.Of course it was George Russell's demise that lead to Magnussen sneaking into the points.

So much pasta, pizza and drinks were consumed in Lygon St Carlton (traditionally an Italian area) to celebrate the Ferrari fantastic results.

So the results were -

 
1.   Sainz Ferrari
2.   Leclerc Ferrari
3.   Norris McLaren
4.   Piastri McLaren
5.   Pérez Red Bull
6.   Alonso Aston Martin
7    Stroll  Aston Martin
8    Tsunoda RB
9.   Hülkenberg Haas
10. Magnussen Haas
11. Albon  Williams
12. Ricciardo RB
13. Gasly  Alpine
14. Bottas  Kick Sauber
15. Guanyu  Kick Sauber
16. Ocon  Alpine
17. Russell  Mercedes  DNF

18. Hamilton  Mercedes  DNF
19. Verstappen Red Bull DNF

[Del Boy]

It was an enjoyable race Batgirl. Despite it being a mechanical issue that ended Max's race, Ferrari looked competitive against them all weekend so they had a chance to fight the lead Red Bull.
I was really pleased for Carlos getting the win, he was really quick despite not being 100% and rightfully took driver of the day. The McLaren's were strong all weekend and had a good race. Alonso got the most out of the Aston, can't really say Perez did from the Red Bull. 
Australia never disappoints   Japan and Suzuka is the next stop

[Del Boy]

Not a lot to say about Japan really. I even found the highlights a tough watch. I had some interest when it looked like Lando could get a podium but all in all a bit of a snooze fest. 

[Batgirl]

I agree with you. Mercedes are no competition unless their upgrades bring great changes. Perez seems to be more in tune with this car getting better results, but Verstappen's dominance (except for Australia) is disappointing for all except Red Bull fans!

Results                    
1 Verstappen Red Bull
2 Pérez     Red Bull
3 Sainz Jr.     Ferrari
4 Leclerc  Ferrari
5 Norris   McLaren
6 Alonso    Aston Martin
7  Russell  Mercedes
8 Piastri  McLaren
9 Hamilton  Mercedes
10 Tsunoda  RB
11 Hülkenberg   Haas
12 Stroll   Aston Martin
13 Magnussen  Haas
14 Bottas  Kick Sauber
15 Ocon   Alpine
16  Gasly Alpine
17  Sargeant  Williams
18  Zhou   Kick Sauber DNF
19  Ricciardo  DNF
20  Albon   Williams  DNF

[Batgirl]

This weekend is the Chinese F1 race in Shanghai. Home race for Zhou Guanyu. I hope he manages to get a point at least but being a Ricciardo fan I know the chance of seeing a favourite home driver get points at home is very rare for the 'rest of the cars' in the back of the grid.

There was a sprint qualifying and a sprint race, as well as a practice and of course the REAL race starts soon!

I must admit the Sprint race was an interesting watch. No spoilers in case you haven't watched it.

[Batgirl]

AND has Sky Sports F1 only just realised that they don't need to send all their host presenters to every track! Wow they are cutting costs.

How disappointing for those hosts stuck in the studio and watching the tv screen like the rest of us. I am glad Ted Kravitz hasn't been cut as I like to watch Ted's notebook, which isn't essential viewing but I like to see behind the scenes at the tracks.

[Del Boy]

The qualifying for and the Sprint were an ok watch. I literally fell asleep during the race. We need some rain to liven some of these races up. 

[Dirty Epic]

If I can find some time (v busy at the minute) I'll try and do a post on all that's happened since Melbourne. Generally it's a case of more things change the more they stay the same. RB/Verstappen (right or wrong) dominating, Ferrari fading a bit after early promise (Sainz), McLaren hanging in there and Aston (Alonso) being best of the rest.

Merc's are the only real surprise this year and that's not too much of anything out of the ordinary they've lost their way a bit since 2022 and just can't deliver in the way they did circa 2014-20. Hamilton? Is he already thinking about Ferrari? It seems they're at a crossroads with their established driver ready to up sticks, Russell turning in decent if perhaps not spectacular results in a dog of a car and never really being able to deliver a true race winning car in this new ground effect era.

Still the Supercars are in full flow in Aus and the BTCC is back this weekend.

[Dirty Epic]

Just changing things a bit it's the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna's tragic death at Imola.

www.skysports.com/amp/f1/news/12433/13126617/ayrton-senna-the-legend-and-his-legacy-30-years-on-from-imola-1994-tragedy

Can't believe it's 30 years can remember it like yesterday being told he died in work when I did a weekend/PT job back then. 

Would Ayrton have added to his wins and WDC's and would F1 been a different animal in the years that followed who knows but regardless of his paradoxical ways as a driver (like many others) he is a legend who deserves full respect for what he achieved prior to that tragic day.

RIP Ayrton.

[Del Boy]

Can't believe its 30 years. It would of been great to see him continue amongst Schumacher and Hakkinen in the late 90s. 
RIP Ayrton

I'm sure most have seen this clip of Ayrton driving a Honda NSX around Suzuka but I like watching the way he uses one foot for two pedals.. in a pair of Loafers no less