We are underway in 2025, and the circus pops across the Philippine Sea to Shanghai for round 2 at the Shanghai International circuit. I say "popped", it's over a 10 hour flight which is the same as flying from London to Florida.
What did we learn in Melbourne? McLaren appear to have the fastest car and Norris and Piastri look very evenly matched. Max is out performing his car, whilst Liam Lawson appears to have been promoted beyond his capabilities, certainly at this stage of his career. Mercedes are certainly in the hunt for podium places, but will need things to go their way if they are to win races. Williams, , astonishingly, are also looking like they have a combinations of car and drivers which could make top 5, at least.
Ferrari have started the year as they mean to continue, with strategy calls which are mind boggling. Add to this the seemingly incessant need to coach their drivers, particularly "rookie" Lewis Hamilton, you expect that they are very much in for an uphill battle to win races, let alone threaten any of the Championships. Toro Rosso, or Racing Bulls, or RB, or whatever they are this year (can we not have just stuck with Minardi?) have a competitive car and, in Yuki Tsunoda, at least, a competitive driver. It's very hard to judge Hadjar given he didn't even make it round the parade lap.
Talking of things we learned, it would appear that when Dr Helmut Marko was reading the book on motivating young talent, and got to the about about using either carrot or the stick, he had his thumb of the word carrot. I think we all knew he is not a very subtle man, but his comments about young Isack were totally unnecessary.
Of the other teams, although Sauber and Aston Martin both scored points in Australia, they don't look very impressive. We appear to have a four way fight for the wooden spoon this year as Hass and Alpine also look very underwhelming.
One thing to note, in advance of this race, is that the FIA are "clamping down" on so called flexi wings and will introduce a new test in Shanghai. Perhaps it might have been a good idea to have shared this concern with the teams prior to the start of the season rather than when they are half way across the world from their factories where making design changes is a bit of a challenge. Ho hum, when have the FIA ever been consistent?
For those with Sky, its another journey in to the wee hours if you want to watch the one practice session the teams are allowed or the worthless sprint race. Otherwise it will be like getting up for work for many of us with a 7:00 a.m. kick off on Sunday. The weather forecast is for it to be dry, sunny, and warm. Perhaps Melbourne proved that dear old Bernie was right, we need to introduce sprinklers at random times during the race to spice up the action.
What did we learn in Melbourne? McLaren appear to have the fastest car and Norris and Piastri look very evenly matched. Max is out performing his car, whilst Liam Lawson appears to have been promoted beyond his capabilities, certainly at this stage of his career. Mercedes are certainly in the hunt for podium places, but will need things to go their way if they are to win races. Williams, , astonishingly, are also looking like they have a combinations of car and drivers which could make top 5, at least.
Ferrari have started the year as they mean to continue, with strategy calls which are mind boggling. Add to this the seemingly incessant need to coach their drivers, particularly "rookie" Lewis Hamilton, you expect that they are very much in for an uphill battle to win races, let alone threaten any of the Championships. Toro Rosso, or Racing Bulls, or RB, or whatever they are this year (can we not have just stuck with Minardi?) have a competitive car and, in Yuki Tsunoda, at least, a competitive driver. It's very hard to judge Hadjar given he didn't even make it round the parade lap.
Talking of things we learned, it would appear that when Dr Helmut Marko was reading the book on motivating young talent, and got to the about about using either carrot or the stick, he had his thumb of the word carrot. I think we all knew he is not a very subtle man, but his comments about young Isack were totally unnecessary.
Of the other teams, although Sauber and Aston Martin both scored points in Australia, they don't look very impressive. We appear to have a four way fight for the wooden spoon this year as Hass and Alpine also look very underwhelming.
One thing to note, in advance of this race, is that the FIA are "clamping down" on so called flexi wings and will introduce a new test in Shanghai. Perhaps it might have been a good idea to have shared this concern with the teams prior to the start of the season rather than when they are half way across the world from their factories where making design changes is a bit of a challenge. Ho hum, when have the FIA ever been consistent?
For those with Sky, its another journey in to the wee hours if you want to watch the one practice session the teams are allowed or the worthless sprint race. Otherwise it will be like getting up for work for many of us with a 7:00 a.m. kick off on Sunday. The weather forecast is for it to be dry, sunny, and warm. Perhaps Melbourne proved that dear old Bernie was right, we need to introduce sprinklers at random times during the race to spice up the action.
