The highly anticipated Formula 1 season is just around the corner, and the excitement is palpable. As the clock strikes 5 am Spanish time (15:00 local time) on March 16, the Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, will come alive with the roar of engines, marking the beginning of a new campaign. It’s been a while since the “Big Top” last visited Melbourne, with the last event being in 2019, when Valtteri Bottas triumphed over Lewis Hamilton in a thrilling first corner. The 2020 season was also supposed to kick off in Melbourne, but the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans, putting a halt to the proceedings.
Following an eventful test in Bahrain, which was marked by controversy, stoppages, and chilly conditions, the teams are gearing up for the first race of the season. As Fernando Alonso aptly put it, the preseason is all about gradual improvement, with the real action unfolding during the season itself. The sentiment is echoed by the drivers, who predict a season with few conclusions to be drawn from the preseason. With the current regulations in their final year, the teams are pushing their cars to the limit, and it’s going to be a championship of progressive improvement.
One team that’s caught everyone’s attention is McLaren, which seems to be the team to beat. Despite struggling with rear traction when attacking, they’ve shown impressive pace, particularly with Lando Norris’s long-run performance, where he managed to shave off over a second from Leclerc and Antonelli’s times. Norris, who appears to be the team leader after the preseason, exuded confidence, stating that he’s “perfect” mentally and ready to put the disappointment of 2023 behind him.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate, has had a quiet yet productive preseason, focusing on working in the background, with a single afternoon dedicated to understanding the car’s rhythm. The team’s assertion that their car is better than last year’s is a serious warning sign for their competitors, and if they can carry this form into the season, it could be a remarkable year for McLaren.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, had a mixed preseason. Although he claimed to have a better car than last year, the feeling was that it wasn’t quite up to the standard set by McLaren. Verstappen’s spin on the first corner, which cost him precious minutes in the pits, added to the concerns. As he put it, “We have a better car [the RB21] than in 2024, it’s not difficult,” but the question remains whether it’s enough to take on the might of McLaren.
Ferrari and Mercedes are also expected to be in the mix, although their preseason was more subdued. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc showed glimpses of pace, but it was Lewis Hamilton who stole the show, saying it was the most positive feeling he’s had in a long time. Mercedes, on the other hand, had a strong preseason, with George Russell and Antonelli looking solid. Team principal Toto Wolff’s comment about having two seconds more in the bag adds to the intrigue, and it remains to be seen how they’ll perform in the season.
As for Aston Martin, it’s been a lackluster preseason, with the team struggling to find its rhythm. Fernando Alonso’s late-season surge was a highlight, but it’s unclear whether they can replicate that form this year. The team’s inability to push the car to its limits and the uncertainty surrounding their development are causes for concern. Andy Cowell’s methodology, which emphasizes not giving it all in the winter but instead focusing on reliability, might be the key to unlocking their potential.
Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, has been impressive in the new Williams, setting the fastest time of the preseason (1:29.348) and completing over 120 laps in a single day. Along with teammate Alex Albon, they’ve shown a solid foundation, which could be the starting point for a remarkable season. James Vowles, the team principal, has tempered expectations, saying they’re not where they seem to be, but the signs are encouraging.
The midfield battle is expected to be intense, with Haas and Alpine joining the fray. While Alpine had a strong preseason, Haas had a more subdued one, with their only hint of a quick lap coming on the final day with Esteban Ocon. The American team is focused on putting in the miles and limiting problems, but they’ll need to up their game to stay in the fight.
As the season kicks off in Melbourne, one thing is clear – the bottom of the pack is likely to be occupied by Racing Bulls and Sauber, who struggled to make an impact in the preseason. The rest, however, is anyone’s game, and it’s going to be a thrilling season of Formula 1. With the top teams pushing each other to the limit, the midfield battle raging on, and the newcomers looking to make a mark, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable year of racing.