FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GP - 2nd April 2023

On the 2nd of April, 2023, British Formula 1 fans were up for an early morning, waiting in anticipation for the Australian Grand Prix to begin at 6AM(GMT). Many were drowsy, however with 58 laps until the finish line, much action unravelled, right until the final few turns. The 2023 Australian Grand Prix was an action packed race and featured Formula 1's very first  TRIPLE red flag within one race, as well as 6 DNFs(Leclerc, Albon, Russell, Magnussen, Sargeant, De Vries, Ocon, and Gasly), and a podium featuring three World Champions(Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso). 

The competition began smoothly, with last years world champion Max Verstappen in pole position, however his unlucky team mate, Sergio Perez began in the pitlane, along with Valtteri Bottas, both behind the rest of the grid. This allowed bother Mercedes cars to (George Russell, Lewis Hamilton) to begin in position 2 and 3 after a very successfully qualifying session.

LAP 1/58

Once the lights are out, George Russell gets ahead with an excellent start, stealing P1 from Max Verstappen. This however, is short lived, as Charles Leclerc makes contact with Lance Stroll, sending himself into the gravel, resulting in a safety car. LECLERC DNF

Williams were also doing well, with Albon in p6.

LAP 7/58

Only six laps later after Leclerc's DNF, Alex Albon spun out at turn seven, damaging his front wing as well as spraying gravel into the track, resulting in the race's first red flag. ALBON DNF

LAP 17/58

The drama continued into lap 17, where George Russell's car caught on fire due to an engine failure, and just like that, Russell was out of the race. A safety car was brought out once more, closing the gap between Red Bull and Mercedes. RUSSELL DNF

LAP 54/58

All seemed to be going well, but 4 laps before the finish line, Kevin Magnussen comes to a stop upon losing his right rear tyre, and for a third time the Safety Car is called out. After consideration, the second red flag of the race is called due to the debris, and the competition comes to a temporary halt. MAGNUSSEN DNF

LAP 54/58

Before even one lap is completed after the safety car, chaos unravels. Sainz causes Alonso to spin out, and further down the track there is more contact, resulting in the DNFs of Ocon, Gasly, de Vries, and Sargeant. After several replays, it is understood that Sargeant drove into the back of de Vries, whereas Gasly clipped Ocon, who was close behind him, taking the both of them out of the race. OCON, GASLY, DE VRIES, SARGEANT DNF

LAP 57/58

The third and final Red Flag of the Australian Grand Prix is called, and the race restarts once more, with the cars proceeding in their previous starting order under the second red flag, excluding the DNFs. However, Carlos Sainz, is handed a 5 second penalty, and with only one lap left of the race under the safety car, he cannot overtake nor gain a five second distance from the cars behind him, which will inevitably bunch up due to the safety car, and so with that Sainz drops to p12 as his final race position, with Verstappen seizing P1, then Hamilton and Alonso.

Even then, the action is not yet over, as for a grand finale, just as all remaining drivers cross the finishing line, Nico Hulkenberg breaks down at turn 2, which would officially be a red flag, had the race not ended.

✅Although there were many losses within this race, particularly for Ferrari and Alpine, McLaren had the opportunity for both drivers to score their first points this season, as well as Hamilton's first podium this season, making him become the first driver in the sport to score a podium in 17 consecutive seasons. Sergio Perez also made excellent pace, beginning from the pits and ending at p5, earning fastest lap and driver of the day in doing so.

Currently, Verstappen leads the World Championship, with Sergio and Alonso close behind.