17/03/2019
NEWS STORY
In recent years there's been much talk of what Lewis Hamilton will do when he finally decides to hang up his helmet after securing his sixth or seventh title.
Having already made ventures into the fashion world, he has also made no secret of his desire to get seriously involved in music, and while his talent in these fields is unclear, his contacts book will be bulging, which always helps.
However, another avenue he should seriously consider is acting.
Thus far, other than lending his voice to the likes of the Cars animation franchise, and a couple of video game appearances, there has also been the awkward cameo in Zoolander 2.
Based on his performances in recent years however, particularly the weeks leading up to yesterday's qualifying session, it is clear the boy has talent, his insistence that Mercedes was on the back foot and denials that such claims were bullshit, a masterclass of which Sir Larry himself would have been proud.
Fact is, his 0.704s gap to Sebastian Vettel in qualifying is greater than the 0.664s gap to Kimi Raikkonen twelve months ago, the Finn having qualified on the front row alongside the Briton.
And while we're handing out the F1 Oscars, surely Toto Wolff deserves one, or at least one of those meaningless Lifetime Achievement awards that have become all the rage these days.
And to think we were finally beginning to believe those underdog claims.
Or is it because we wanted to believe them?
Last year, of course, despite taking pole Hamilton lost out to Vettel, the German benefitting from Mercedes strategic error. While it is quite possible that something similar could happen today, the fact is that even at this early stage of the year, Mercedes is on course to continue where it left off last November.
Much like the infamous F1 Timing App - of which more later - despite the assurances that things had improved, the feedback listened to, Ferrari is once again looking set to spend the season playing catch-up.
Valtteri Bottas was blistering in Q3, but once again his teammate was remorseless, needing to crush the Finn just the same as he had to destroy all other pretenders to his crown.
As in 2018, Charles Leclerc was quick to admit to his mistake, the youngster starting from fifth today, alongside the infamous Romain Grosjean and just ahead of the equally infamous Kevin Magnussen. And just to ensure the Monegasque is kept on his toes, he has his teammate and Max Verstappen just ahead.
At a time we ponder the failure to learn from one's mistakes, one wonders if Sebastian is going to encounter any black holes on the opening lap, thereby adding to the growing sense of déjà vu surrounding Ferrari at present.
Verstappen did well to split the Ferraris, while teammate Gasly was eliminated in Q1 courtesy of a strategic error. If nothing else, it will afford us the opportunity, at this early stage of the season, to see how quickly the Frenchman can slice his way through the field, an art that his teammate mastered some time ago.
Haas was the big surprise - to use Vettel's favourite word - in qualifying, and while the performance will only add to Cyril Abiteboul's anger - doesn't everything - one can only hope that Rich Energy appreciates the bang it is getting for its bucks.
Whatever happens out front today, the fun and games is going to be the midfield, which is not only to be looking more volatile than last year, but appears to have the added excitement of some interesting disparity - and thereby rivalry - between teammates.
The five drivers that failed to make it through Q2 - Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Albon, Giovinazzi and Kvyat - were covered by just 0.212s, while Stroll and Sainz, both victims of traffic - would have otherwise been right in the mix.
Particular credit goes to Lando Norris and Alexander Albon, both out-performing their teammates in their maiden qualifying session, the Briton doing particularly well to give McLaren its best start position in Melbourne since 2014.
However, on a day we celebrate the acting skills of Hamilton, the patience of Vettel and the likelihood of a season of midfield fighting and in-fighting, how sad to see that there is no quick-fix to Williams issues, George Russell admitting that an inherent issue on the FW42 will take "months" to resolve.
Indeed, if the youngster is truly the successor to Hamilton, perhaps George is trying to tell us that the season is already over for the Grove outfit.
Last year's race featured just five overtakes, and it was this, on top of the fact that overtaking in 2017 was 50% down on 2016, that led to new rules being hastily introduced for this season.
Melbourne being notorious for its overtaking opportunities, it will at least be interesting to see if the cars can follow more closely - which is the intention - and whether last year's dismal count can be beaten. Indeed, by rights, Gasly should beat it single-handed.
Talking of last year, following that superb qualifying performance, Haas will be only too aware that it was seemingly destined for a good points haul in 2018, until it all went wrong during the pit stops.
The American team has been practising its pit stops over the winter, just in case, but even so we imagine that there will be a Netflix crew on hand today, while on the pit-wall Guenther Steiner will have an extra-large swear box in front of him.
In terms of tyres, the quickest strategy for what has become a traditional one-stop race is actually a two stopper: two stints on the soft tyre of 21 laps each, followed by a shorter 16-lap final stint on the medium.
However, in practice, the teams are more likely to stick with the one-stopper, which is extremely close in terms of overall time anyway and carries less risk, especially as we know Albert Park is not so easy to overtake on. The optimal one-stop strategy is to start on the soft tyre for 27 laps, then run 31 laps on the medium tyre to the end.
Close to that is an alternative one stopper: start on the soft tyre for 24 laps, then go for 34 laps on the hard to the flag.
A couple of hours before the race, the drivers gathered for the traditional new term photo. However, this year they were subsequently joined by the team bosses and F1 and FIA officials for a special tribute to Charlie Whiting who passed away on Thursday. Ahead of the race there will be a one-minute silence in tribute to the popular former FIA race director and race starter and also the victims of the terror attack in New Zealand.
Four of the last five Australian Grands Prix have witnessed the appearance of the safety car, and with a number of rookies, drivers out of position, drivers known for their 'over enthusiasm' and those known for their in-built attraction to black holes, there is every chance we will witness its emergence again this year.
And talking of history, the pole-sitter has only won here once in the last seven years... Hamilton starting from pole for the last six of those races.
The cars begin heading out and making their way to the grid. Air temperature is 23.8 degrees C, while the track temperature is 43.8 degrees.
The field heads off on the warm-up lap All are on softs bar Giovinazzi, Kvyat, Stroll, Gasly and Russell who start on mediums and Kubica who is on hards.
They're away, and Bottas makes a blistering start, and as they head into T1 he is ahead of his teammate, who has Vettel and Verstappen on the inside and Leclerc on the outside.
Further back, Ricciardo is running along on the grass, after appearing to be force wide by Perez, and in the process loses his front wing. He does brilliantly to slow the car and not cause carnage at the first corner where he could well have T-boned the latter end of the pack.
Vettel and Leclerc are side by side exiting T1 into T2, but the German holds off the youngster, forcing him wide, while Verstappen goes intentionally wide around the outside, just in case, managing to re-take fourth from the Monegasque.
As the dust settles - for Ricciardo literally - Leclerc is under pressure from the Haas duo, the youngster having lost ground following his close encounter with his teammate.
Bottas leads Hamilton, Vettel, Verstappen, Leclerc, Magnussen, Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Raikkonen and Norris. Ricciardo pits at the end of the first lap.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Melbourne, here.
While there is debris on the main straight following Ricciardo's issue, the race continues, the yellow flag having been withdrawn.
Not the most impressive opening for Gasly, who has only made up one position, and that courtesy of Ricciardo's pit stop.
As Bottas builds a 1.4s lead over his teammate, despite his pit stop Ricciardo is already over the rear of Kubica's Williams, which he subsequently passes. That said, it appears the Pole also pitted at the end of lap 1.
"Daniel, we have some damage on the right hand side as well on the barge boards so there might be some load loss," the Australian is told.
Raikkonen advises that he was hit on the side at the first corner. Ricciardo?
Early days, but after 5 laps the field is pretty evenly strung out, with nobody looking likely to make a move any time soon.
After 8 laps, Bottas leads Hamilton by 2.8s, Vettel is 2.7s behind the Briton, with a 1.3s advantage over Verstappen.
A mistake sees Leclerc run wide over the grass at T1, allowing Magnussen to close to within 3.3s.
"All is under control," reports Bottas.
On lap 11, Sainz slows as smoke begins to emerge from the rear of his McLaren. The Spaniard becomes the first retirement of the season. Having advised his team of a loss of power, he was told to park the car and switch off.
On that same lap, Hamilton posts his own best lap so far, but remains 3.633 adrift of his teammate. However, next time around Bottas responds with a new fastest lap (28.633).
At the end of lap 12, Raikkonen is the first driver to make a scheduled pit stop. He rejoins in 16th on mediums.
Next time around Hulkenberg pits, as does Perez. The German rejoining in 14th and the Mexican in 17th. Both have switched to hards.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 14, as do Magnussen and Albon. Vettel rejoins in sixth on mediums while Magnussen is now 12th on mediums. The Dane rejoins just ahead of his old pal Hulkenberg, and despite the German's best efforts, the Haas driver holds position.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 15, rejoining in 4th on mediums. Grosjean and Norris also pit. It's another very poor stop for the Haas driver who rejoins in 14th, following a problem with the left-front, and is immediately under pressure from Albon. They scrap but the French veteran holds off the young rookie.
On fresh rubber, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (27.954), as Magnussen is all over Giovinazzi, who has yet to stop.
After 17 laps, Bottas leads Verstappen and Leclerc, though all three have yet to stop. The Finn is told that his pace is better than his teammate's.
Indeed, Vettel is just 1.7s down on the world champion, as Bottas posts a PB (28.203).
A mistake in T13 by Giovinazzi allows Magnussen through, while also allowing Hulkenberg to close in. The German subsequently passing the Alfa.
Lap 19 sees a new fastest lap from Bottas (27.836), the Finn clearly feeling very comfortable.
Obviously not the Renault debut Ricciardo wanted, the Australian is lapped by Bottas.
Passed by his Alfa teammate, Giovinazzi is now under pressure from Norris, who is using every inch of the track, and then some, in his efforts to pass the Italian.
Another fastest lap from Bottas (27.832), as Norris is told that he must pass Giovinazzi who is looking likely to extend his opening stint.
As Giovinazzi continues to hold off Norris, Grosjean closes in.
Hamilton admits concern that he's lost touch with his teammate.
At the end of lap 23, Bottas pits. Switching to mediums, he rejoins in second, ahead of Leclerc, but, more importantly, Hamilton.
As Norris continues to hound Giovinazzi, he has Grosjean, Albon and Perez right behind.
Though he has yet to stop, Verstappen leads, the first time a Honda-engined car has led a race since 2008.
The Red Bull driver pits at the end of lap 25, as Bottas takes the lead and at the same time posts a blistering 27.338.
Verstappen rejoins in 5th on mediums, as Bottas enjoys a 5.6s lead over his Mercedes teammate.
A little mistake from Giovinazzi, and some nice opportunism from Norris, sees the McLaren pass the Alfa and sets off after Raikkonen who is 10s up the road.
As Grosjean nails Giovinazzi at T13, Kvyat pits. Great move by the Haas driver.
Albon does well not to hit the wall as he battles Perez for 14th. Elsewhere, Stroll pits.
Giovinazzi pits at the end of lap 27 but it's a slow stop. He rejoins in 17th on softs.
Leclerc pits at the end of lap 28, rejoining in fifth on hards.
After 30 laps, it's: Bottas, Hamilton, Vettel, Verstappen, Leclerc, Gasly, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Raikkonen and Stroll. Of those ten, however, Gasly has yet to stop.
Verstappen starts to apply pressure as he closes in on Vettel.
Ricciardo and Kubica make their second stops of the day. However, while the Pole rejoins the race, it's 'game over' for the Australian.
A great exit from T2 sees Verstappen sweep past Vettel around the outside of T3 for third, while Grosjean pulls to the side of the track to become the third retirement of the afternoon.
Replay shows the left-front on the Haas was loose... Steiner will be having an absolute meltdown.
Verstappen is now 2.6s down on Hamilton who is 18.8s down on race leader Bottas.
"I've got no rear end," warns Hamilton, despite posting the quickest S3 of the race thus far. The Briton is under intense pressure from Verstappen who is now just 1.2s behind.
Kvyat is hounding Stroll for the last of the points positions, the pair separated by just 0.556s.
A mistake sees Kvyat run wide in T3, managing to escape the kitty litter he rejoins 6.6s down on Stroll.
Gasly finally stops at the end of lap 37, the Red Bull driver rejoining in 10th on softs. He is immediately embroiled in a battle with Kvyat, who is able to take advantage of the Red Bull's cooler tyres.
While one might expect team orders to come into play, Kvyat clearly has no intention of rolling over for Gasly.
As their battle continues, Kvyat and Gasly both post PBs. The Frenchman has a little look, but thinks better of it.
1.6s clear of Verstappen, after 40 laps, Hamilton remains 22.7s adrift of his Mercedes teammate.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Melbourne, here.
"Hold overtake button," Gasly is told, "hold overtake button, for five seconds." "That's what I did," comes the nervous reply, "it doesn't give me more speed."
Another fastest lap for Bottas, who stops the clock at 26.739.
On the pit-wall, Mattia Binotto understandably shakes his head, Vettel is 34s down on the race leader, and Leclerc 41s.
"Why are we so slow," asks Vettel, almost in disbelief. Behind, Leclerc appears to consistently be gaining on the German.
A late stop for Russell, who, like his teammate, is now 2 laps down on the race leader.
After 45 laps (of 58), it's: Bottas, Hamilton (+ 24.8), Verstappen (+ 26.6), Vettel (+ 37.3), Leclerc (+ 41.7), Magnussen (+ 72.5), Hulkenberg (+ 75.9), Raikkonen (+ 77.7), Stroll (+ 79.2) and Kvyat (+ 80.4). Gasly continues to shadow Kvyat.
Behind Gasly, it's Norris, Perez, Albon, Giovinazzi, Russell and Kubica.
"The only way we can lose this race is by not having rubber or a safety car," Bottas is told.
As Kvyat and Gasly close on Stroll, Verstappen continues to shadow Hamilton. This isn't over.
That said, a mistake at T2 sees Verstappen lose a couple of seconds, the Dutchman now 3.9s adrift of the world champion as he takes a rough ride over the grass.
Leclerc is now just 0.557 behind his Ferrari teammate.
On lap 51, Bottas laps Gasly, and while essentially told to ease off, the Finn insists that he wants the 26 points for win and fastest lap.
On lap 54, Verstappen goes quickest in S2, as he seeks to overcome that 2s gap to Hamilton.
Meanwhile, Bottas has lapped Kvyat and Stroll, his next target being 8th placed Raikkonen. Boy, will the Mercedes driver enjoy that.
Next time around Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (26.540), at which point Bottas ups his pace and goes quickest in S1. However, the two drivers have entirely different objectives.
Lap 56 sees a PB for Hamilton (27.042). "I need that point Bonno," admits the Briton.
Despite going quickest in the final two sectors, Verstappen fails to improve on his previous best. However, he is within DRS range of Hamilton.
Another fastest lap from Bottas, who posts a 25.580 on the penultimate lap.
Bottas takes the flag, and also holds on to the fastest lap.
"How about that, **** yes!" says the Finn. "That's pay back from last year," he is told.
If Bottas is upbeat at race end, not so teammate Hamilton or indeed Vettel, for clearly both have work to do.
Following the worst season of his F1 career last year, this was the perfect way for Bottas to kick-start his new season, indeed, his attitude appears to have changed, he seems to have rediscovered the hunger.
Though the Finn made the better start, that doesn't account for the 20s gap come the end of the race, and Hamilton will need to discover what went wrong.
Likewise Ferrari, which now has two weeks to find single-lap pace and race pace.
A missed day for Red Bull, for while Verstappen delivered, Gasly didn't, and though he is only one race into his Red Bull career he knows that Helmut Marko will have been very, very unhappy with today's performance.
A mixed day for Haas also, a brilliant sixth for Magnussen, but once again Grosjean loses out to a loose wheel. Quite how a team can suffer the same issue at the same circuit a year apart defies belief.
Had it not been for that first lap incident, who knows how it might have gone for Renault, with both cars probably looking at a points finish. However, there is some consolation in the fact that Hulkenberg brought the RS19 home in seventh, albeit aided by Grosjean's issues.
An anonymous afternoon for Raikkonen, but four points in the bag and the promise of more over the coming months, the veteran showing that he still has it.
Stroll will be delighted to score a couple of points on his Racing Point debut, while Kvyat will find it hard not to smile after holding off Gasly and denying the Red Bull driver a point.
Courtesy of the fact that the next few races are flyaways, it is going to be difficult for the team to make the necessary changes some of them need to make, however, it is certain that following today's debriefs work will begin, because a lot of ground can be lost at this stage of the season.
Not the result that Lewis Hamilton fans will have wanted, or indeed the tifosi, but other than the promise shown by Verstappen and his team's new engine partner, it appears the world champion might yet have a fight on his hands this year... from within his own team.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Melbourne, here.