Let’s talk about Australia, or shall we not talk about Australia?
As a Mercedes fan, to see Lewis back on the podium and in P2, it was a great day! But I am also a Ferrari fan, and to leave with one DNF, one penalty and zero points made it not such a good day.
Australia and Suzuka are those races on the calendar which really make us European fans really feel empathy towards our friends down under, and their commitment to watching most of the races early… because a 6am lights out, is not it. Booking to watch the race at a venue in London, and then realising there will be no trains that early meaning I would have to leave my house at 3.30am to drive to South London to get the Tube in order to make it for the race… is also not it.
(Tired Corryn is not a fun person, I begrudge anyone who has to spend a significant amount of time with me when all I want is my bed)
Lap one was crazy, we saw Charles Leclerc retire after attempting to overtake the Aston Martins and ending up beached in the gravel. This just seemed to set off a multitude of moans and groans from myself and the Ferrari fans in our group - but it also seemed to set off a chain reaction of crashes, mechanical failures and red flags in the Australian GP. We saw a yellow flag during the first lap due to Leclerc’s incident (I know what you’re thinking). Tempted to return to my car, drive home and get back into bed.
Not too far into the race, I saw LEWIS AND GEORGE WERE P1 & P2 RESPECTIVELY?!?! I woke up, I was amazed and happy, was it redemption day for Mercedes, will we see a happy Toto?! I was sitting with my friend, she wore a Lewis hat, and I wore a Grussell hat - we thought maybe we were their lucky charms (well, maybe she was, after Grussell’s mechanical failure later in the race, I can’t say it applies to me).
Then we reached lap 7, the second yellow flag, also a very sad one (I mean most of them are sad, I’m an empath OK.) After an oversteer at turn 6, we saw Alex Albon in his Williams spin into the barrier and lose his front wing. We had such high hopes for Alex this weekend, I mean THAT QUALI 🔥 The safety car was deployed, Grussell pitted from the lead, and shortly after a Red Flag was waved, bringing the race to a halt - bad timing for Mercedes!
The race restarted shortly after, lights out and Hamilton maintained the lead, Verstappen was in P2, closely followed by Alonso in P3 - we love that for him, our Aston Martin King. Hamilton led until Lap 12 when he had a bit of a fight with Verstappen, (flashback to 2021 anyone?) After a quick overtake, Verstappen took P1.
Then we were on Lap 18, I was happy, Hamilton was doing well and Grussell was climbing! Until I saw his name dropping down the standings, the camera panned to his car and we saw it on fire. Sadness intensified, and grumpiness intensified, hence I put my Grussell hat into my bag. So much for a good luck charm right?
Lap 25 saw Carlos Sainz take P4 from Gasly, a cracking overtake and nothing but smooth from the smooth operator! It was still too early to call the race, and besides from the increasing tiredness, I was still on the edge of my seat.
Lap 47, Verstappen went off the track! Locking up during the turn, giving the grass a quick mow, and getting a loud jeer from the crowd it was a shocker… however, he recovered, and was 11 seconds up on Alonso, so no major damage to Verstappen’s race or the car. (The grass on the other hand…)
Fast forward to Lap 54, Magnussen hit a wall and knocked one of his back tyres off. Shortly followed by a yellow flag, safety car, and consequently a red flag.
The race restarted at Lap 57, two laps left to decide the podium - could we call the race yet, it was still anyones right? (Probably Max’s - but the other two spots were still available). The restart was CHAOS. Pure chaos. Sainz took Alonso out, he spun out, the two Alpine’s crashed, and then Stroll beached into the gravel. De Vries and Sargeant were also involved somewhere, so additionally had to retire. 12/20 cars were left in the race.
The Alpine crash left debris scattered across the track, another red flag. The third of the race.
The race was restarted, reverting to the grid as of Lap 57, however with news of a 5 second penalty for Sainz after the collision with Alonso - absolutely heartbreaking radio from Sainz - I was crying, I think we were all crying tbh. I’m not sure I fully understand the decision from the FIA on this one, it’s the empath in me again.
The rest of the race was completed under safety car, with about 100 yards to dash to the finish line - however no overtaking allowed. Verstappen finished P1, Hamilton P2, and Alonso P3.
Sainz’s penalty was applied, which left him out of the points - zero points this weekend for Ferrari. I am sorry Tifosa, it will get better.
Alonso’s third podium of the season, as a newfound Alonso fan (after THAT TikTok, iykyk), I was happy, I was also happy for Hamilton - so great to see him back on the podium, and after his performance this weekend I am hoping for many more!
A good weekend for the boys in Papaya, McLaren. Seemingly stayed out of the carnage and chaos, bringing home double points for the team, and Oscar’s first points in F1 - at his home race too - GO OSCAR 🥳
This weekend can be summed up with one word only… CARNAGE.
A three week break until Baku, I’m excited to see the upgrades - and hopefully some more Mercedes glory and less Ferrari heartbreak!
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