2024 F1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX HIGHLIGHTS - THINGS THAT HAPPENED
Formula 1 had a big moment when Ferrari's Carlos Sainz won the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, stopping Red Bull's Max Verstappen from winning again because of a rare car problem. He did amazing for Ferrari, handling tough conditions well.
Verstappen didn't finish, and Sergio Perez wasn't in the top fight, so Red Bull won't beat their 2023 record yet. Sainz's recovery from appendix surgery was explained, and Fernando Alonso got in trouble after the race. There was trouble at Williams, but McLaren got good news. People also talked a lot about issues facing the championship during the Melbourne race.
Sainz's Remarkable Recovery Story
Carlos Sainz showed incredible skill in Melbourne, despite facing recent health challenges. Just two weeks after having surgery in Jeddah, he was back on the track in Melbourne, impressively winning his third career victory, and the first from a non-pole position. He returned to action a week earlier than Alex Albon did in September 2022, who faced respiratory failure and intensive care.
In Melbourne, Sainz shared how he bounced back so quickly. He credited modern medical treatments like hyperbaric chambers and an Indiba machine, which helped him heal faster compared to traditional surgeries his father underwent years ago.
After his surgery, Sainz followed his doctors' advice to stay active, even walking around the paddock in Jeddah post operation. Back home in Europe, he couldn't follow his usual training routine and spent a lot of time resting. The FIA closely monitored his progress, making adjustments to his seatbelt arrangement for safety.
Sainz's recovery plan included strict schedules for rest, exercise, and nutrition. Regardless of initial doubts about his readiness for Melbourne, his condition improved rapidly after landing in Australia.
With each passing day, Sainz made significant progress, following the advice of medical professionals and fellow driver Alex Albon. His determination and careful planning paid off, leading to an impressive comeback on the track.
Red Bull's Bid for Perfection Ends Early in 2024 F1 Season
Red Bull's hopes for a perfect season in 2024 faded fast. They couldn't win every race, as shown in Melbourne. Verstappen, aiming for his 10th consecutive win, faced pressure from Ferrari's strong performance on softer tires.
Verstappen's race went sour from the start. His brake got stuck, hindering his pace. Although he initially kept up with Sainz, escalating brake problems forced him to retire early. Even with this setback, Verstappen felt positive about his car's balance before the race.
Perez's struggles with a blind issue further hampered Red Bull's performance. Their potential for a thrilling race victory slipped away. Unlike their 15 race winning streak in 2023, their dominance ended after just three races in 2024.
Mercedes Faces Early Season Struggles in 2024
Mercedes encountered significant setbacks in the early stages of the 2024 season. The troubles began when Lewis Hamilton retired from the race after just 15 laps due to an unexpected engine failure. This incident, coupled with cooling issues in Bahrain, highlights a worrying lack of reliability in the Mercedes car.
Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' director of trackside engineering, expressed disappointment over the weekend's outcome, citing extensive damage that needs addressing before the next race in Japan. Hamilton's retirement came as a surprise, with no prior warning of the power unit failure.
Meanwhile, George Russell faced challenges in managing tire wear and competing with the top teams. Regardless of Alonso's pit stop under the virtual safety car, Russell couldn't regain lost positions due to unexpected deceleration on the penultimate lap.
Mercedes struggled to find the right setup, with changing temperatures and increasing wind affecting performance from practice to qualifying. This resulted in both Russell and Hamilton qualifying lower than expected, with Hamilton failing to advance to Q3.
Even when Russell closed in on Alonso late in the race, he couldn't overtake the slower car. Mercedes must regret missed opportunities, such as Russell's strong start in Bahrain, as they grapple with ongoing setbacks in their quest for success.
Williams Chooses Albon Over Sargeant
Alex Albon's crash during FP1 at Albert Park highlighted the unforgiving nature of the track. While Albon's mistake was significant, it raised questions about Williams decision to replace him with Logan Sargeant for the rest of the weekend.
The team's choice to prioritize Albon over Sargeant was purely based on performance and points. Albon's superior points haul compared to Sargeant's limited success as teammates in 2023 made him the logical choice for the ultra-competitive midfield battle in 2024.
Albon qualified 12th and finished 11th, with Sargeant commended for his support regardless of not racing. However, Williams' decision to sideline Sargeant raises doubts about his future with the team and its impact on his confidence.
Sargeant's spin during FP2 further complicated matters, depriving Williams of crucial long run data on race tires. Had Sargeant performed better against Albon, the team might not have faced such a difficult decision.
Alonso's Racing Strategy Goes Awry
Fernando Alonso is known for his clever tactics on the track, like his moves against Perez in Brazil last year. However, his latest attempt to outsmart George Russell ended badly, not just for Russell but also for Alonso himself.
While Alonso claims he didn't intend to put Russell in danger, adjusting his braking to unsettle a rival or gain an advantage is part of racing. Russell took responsibility for his gravel excursion, but the resulting crash was unforeseeable.
Alonso cited issues with his car's battery deployment, but his defense to the stewards revealed a miscalculated tactic. The stewards deemed his driving potentially dangerous, resulting in a penalty. While Alonso's argument is understandable, the penalty reflects the riskiness of his maneuver, which ultimately backfired.
Tsunoda Shows Promise, but Red Bull Remains Cautious
Yuki Tsunoda impressed in qualifying for AlphaTauri, making it to Q3 and outperforming his teammate Daniel Ricciardo. He continued his strong form from Bahrain and Jeddah into the 2024 season.
Red Bull had hoped Tsunoda would start scoring points for their junior team, and he delivered in Australia, finishing eighth on track after a competitive battle with Lance Stroll's Aston Martin. However, Helmut Marko, Red Bull's motorsport advisor, remained reserved about Tsunoda's performance.
Marko acknowledged Tsunoda's consistent and calm driving but emphasized that one good result doesn't guarantee a permanent promotion to Red Bull Racing. Tsunoda will need to continue improving before he's considered for a potential replacement for Sergio Perez in 2025.
Zak Brown's Leadership Extended at McLaren
Zak Brown's contract as McLaren Racing CEO has been extended until 2030. Since taking over in 2016, Brown has overseen McLaren's resurgence in Formula 1 and expanded its presence in other racing series like IndyCar, Formula E, and Extreme E.
Brown expressed his excitement about continuing to lead McLaren Racing and working with its talented team members. Under his leadership, McLaren aims to push the boundaries of motorsport and achieve top performance on and off the track.
Bottas's Confidence Rises with New Ventures
Valtteri Bottas, known for his bold persona, showcased a new level of confidence post-Mercedes era. He reflected on how he wouldn't have been as bold during his time with Mercedes, citing age and experience as factors that have helped him not take himself too seriously. His Australian themed advert, filmed upon arrival in Melbourne, gained attention, highlighting his connection with the country through his partner Tiffany Cromwell and their shared off-seasons.
However, Bottas faced disappointment in the race due to Sauber's pitstop issues. A new pit equipment glitch cost him around 30 seconds during the first stop, and a loose wheelnut incurred a fine during the final stop. Another slow pitstop for teammate Zhou Guanyu compounded Sauber's woes, attributed to a gear selection problem.
Verstappen Plans to Stick with Red Bull Until 2028
After a tense period for Red Bull, Verstappen's future with the team became uncertain when he publicly supported Marko among internal turmoil. However, during media interviews, Verstappen expressed his intention to remain with the team until the end of his contract in 2028.
He emphasized the importance of retaining key team members for performance. Verstappen's commitment to staying with Red Bull is a personal goal for him, as it would mean being part of one team for his entire career.
However, intentions in sports don't always translate into actions. Verstappen's statement leaves room for changes depending on how the situation unfolds in the future.
