Chaos Ensues on a Slippery Slope: Reacting to The Australian Grand Prix

The 75th season of Formula One saw its first checkered flag in the land down under, and it was a thriller of a race. Before the race even began, Visa Cash App Red Bull rookie Isaac Hadjar crashed during the formation lap, followed by a powerful moment between him and Sir Lewis Hamilton’s’ Father Anthony. It was an emotional way to begin the season, not only for Hadjar, but roughly a quarter of the field.

The conditions were as slick as ever, with drivers unable to find a grip until well into the race. Six drivers were unable to finish, including Australian Alpine rookie Jack Doohan, who spun out on turn five on the first lap. Despite the opening chaos, drivers’ championship favorite Lando Norris (McLaren) began on pole, and never looked back, despite having Max Verstappen in his rear-view mirror for the first couple of turns.  

The hometown hero, Oscar Piastri (McLaren), was on a podium trajectory, and had quite the battle with Verstappen, however, he spun out and while he was able to return to the race, he had to fight just to finish in ninth place. Piastri had some great battles with Verstappen, so that could be a tell-tale sign of what this season has in store for the two stone cold drivers.

Ferrari had the most disappointing weekend by far, with Lewis Hamilton finishing in tenth and Charles Leclerc in eighth. Many have questioned their pit stop strategy, especially since Ferrari was able to find tire grip before most of the other teams. They went into the pits at strange times, not in rhythm with the other teams, and cost them valuable points. They simply just didn’t have the pace compared to the McLarens and Verstappen.

The next stop on the formula one world tour is China for the Chinese grand prix, a track with long straights and sharp turns. This promises for plenty of action both on and off track.  

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