The season-opener at the Australian Grand Prix got off to an eventful start despite the mixed feelings up and down the paddock about the new era of Formula 1.
Mercedes’ George Russell converted pole position into a race win, with team-mate Kimi Antonelli claiming a one-two for the Silver Arrows.
Here are my driver ratings for the first weekend in Melbourne:
George Russell – 9 – Imperious weekend from the Brit who has been title favourite since pre-season testing. Found himself with no battery for the race start which led to a poor launch off the line and lost him the lead of the race. Once through on Charles Leclerc, was rarely forced to push hard.
Kimi Antonelli – 7 – A good recovery from Antonelli, who was behind his Mercedes team-mate for the majority of the weekend. The huge crash in final practice left him and his mechanics with a lot of work to do. Only Max Verstappen’s red flag in qualifying allowed Mercedes enough time to get out and even then, the Italian looked on the verge of putting it in the wall. But a front-row grid spot, followed by a poor launch and recovery back to second, leads to a solid start overall.
Charles Leclerc – 7.5 – Solid, fast and a mega start to take the lead of the race at Turn One. Great fighting with Russell in the early stages. Didn’t put a foot wrong but ultimately Ferrari strategy cost him a chance at more.
Lewis Hamilton – 7.5 – Quick from the off. There’s a refreshed aura around Hamilton this year and while I was surprised to see him not qualify ahead of team-mate Leclerc, an equally brilliant start off the line saw him in contention. Let down by Ferrari strategy but had enough in the tank to keep on Leclerc’s heels right to the chequered flag.
