Top 3 Highlights From The 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
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Crikey! Now that had to be one of the absolutely most chaotic endings to a race in quite sometime. Not only did we get interesting interpretations of rules by the FIA but from a driver perspective we also saw some strange things occur that more or less screwed over quite a few drivers on the points table. Before I spill the beans in this intro, let’s talk about my top 3 highlights from the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix!
Mercedes Reliability Woes
Since the beginning of the new aerodynamic regulations in 2022, Mercedes has consistently shown that their power unit may not be the most powerful, but it offered a level of relibiability that quickly out performed all other engine manufacturers during that season. Here on the third race of the reason and we’re seeing that something may have gone wrong when it comes to the reliability of the Mercedes Power Unit, early on in George Russell’s race he was ordered to pit under a yellow flag, losing position before the yellow flag turned into a full on red flag. Following this red flag procedure George Russell was dealt a fatal blow to his Australian Grand Prix and was met with a power unit failure causing flames shooting out near the exhaust on his car. This may have ended Russell’s race early but more importantly questions are being raised as to whether or not Mercedes is now facing reliability issues that they’ve been able to avoid up until this point in the new era of ground effect cars. Only time will tell.
Chaos Down Under
No seriously, a lot of chaos, Leclerc crashed out early in the race, Albon crashing out, Russell’s failed power unit, Sargeant takes out De Vries, both Alpines crash out, Fernando spins, Carlos’ 5 second penalty. I’m sure I’m missing some stuff here but there is really no other way to put it other than the fact that this race was complete chaos, even if the middle section of the race may have been a little boring at times there was plenty of action for everyone to enjoy at the beginning and of course the end.
Red Flag Festival
In one of the strangest twist in Formula 1, there was a whopping 3 red flags that went out during the Australia Grand Prix. While I could probably argue that one…