The big talking points going in to the weekend were: Perez and Verstappen have "made up" after disagreeing about Verstappen being the best driver in the team, Bottas getting his mullet trimmed, McLaren sacking a lead member of the team and there being a new Australian driver in Piastri racing at his home track. Obviously, I am obligated to mention there being four seasons in one day in Melbourne.
With a 90% chance of rain during Qualifying, Williams lined their cars up at the end of the pit lane very early. It looked like a wasted opportunity, with Albon doing okay but Sargeant spinning. However, as Perez has had a nightmare of a race weekend, he locked up, going straight and irrevocably into the gravel trap. Apparently, it "was the same issue again". All Williams (and Haas, McLaren, Alfa Romeos and Alpha Tauris) needed now was the rain to come on whilst the red flag was flying and they would all be through to Q2. The rain never came and the only surprise car to go through to Q2 was Albon. Home Hero, Piastri was out.
The hero of Q2 was Albon, who put in many laps and finished before many other drivers, so had to watch and see if anyone would set a quicker time and knock him out. No one did and he was through. Out went Ocon, Tsunoda, Norris, Gasly and De Vries.
In the final Qualifying session, Verstappen just could not find the pace and was down in 6th after the first round of hot laps. He was leading the pack and jumped back up to pole with his second hot lap. The countdown to the arrival of the rain had started but it was only due to arrive 1 minute before the end of the session. I wish I could get similar forecasts on my whereabouts. As everyone came back out, we found out that Verstappen was suffering from multiple technical problems. Albon gave up and retired to the pits to watch the final showdown in comfort. Even wounded, the Red Bull took pole position, with the surprise result of Russell and Hamilton behind them. Further down were Alonso, Sainz, Stroll, LeClerc, Albon, Gasly and Hulkenberg. Albon made the correct call not to waste any more tires. Russell continues to outshine his world champion team mate. Sainz was two places ahead of his team mate, who everyone feels should be challenging for the championship this year.
Verstappen was very happy, answering questions expansively. Russell was full of congratulatory handshakes and waves to the crowd. Hamilton and Alonso kept their helmets on and maintained a fast pace to their destinations.
90% chance of rain...my bahooky.
What might happen in the race? Hamilton and Russell take each other out? Verstappen suffers a drive shaft failure? Will Alonso win the race he's predicted to win at last?
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