01/02/2019
NEWS STORY
While the adage declares that one swallow does not a summer make, in the parallel universe that is Formula One it is an absolute fact that in recent years the initial fire-up of the year is soon followed by the launches - such as they are these days - pre-season testing and then Melbourne.
Filled with confidence in the wake of Carlos Sainz' visit, the Spaniard generously handing out bottles of alcohol-free beer to the workforce, the McLaren crew assemble for the fire up of the Renault engine that will power the former Toro Rosso and Renault driver and his rookie teammate, Lando Norris, this season.
As the engine bursts into life, one can only hope that it is a sign that good times are around the corner for the Woking team along with a significant move up the grid.
That said, Ron Dennis will have noted with frustration just how relaxed things are at the MTC these days, what with Sainz freely wandering around the facility kicking doors open and personnel drinking beer - albeit alcohol-free - during working hours.
Then again, in light of the strain everyone has been going through over the last couple of years perhaps a beer or two is the best remedy, one can only suppose that at Grove it is vodka or even Buckfast being distributed now that the Martini has run out.
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"Hear it roar", declared Ferrari, as the Maranello outfit invited fans to hear the engine that will power the car codenamed the 670, and along with it the hopes of Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc and Italy.
Unfortunately, due to its customary paranoia following Spygate, the Italian team opted to hide the volume control meaning that most fans are left wondering whether the Maranello outfit has already gone all-electric.
In actual fact, courtesy of the hybrid formula when you do find the sound it is more of a snarl and some purring, but it is still music to the ears of the tifosi no doubt.
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With Haas and Sauber using the same engine, those first few signs of life will serve as a welcome boost to the American and Swiss outfits also.
Coming soon the sound of the Mercedes and then the Honda, the latter to be followed by the inevitable sound of Red Bull whingeing should it not be capable of powering Max Verstappen to race wins and the title straight out of the box.