Teams' reaction after the Ferrari-dominated Australian Grand Prix

The nail-biting Australian Grand Prix noticed Scuderia Ferrari snatch their 86th one-two end in Method One with Carlos Sainz rising on high, having delivered a sensational efficiency on his return after his current surgical procedure.

Ferrari might have hardly made a greater job than what they’ve executed on the Australian Grand Prix. Having simply returned from his surgical procedure, Carlos Sainz managed the race from the beginning, taking his third grand prix victory. Though it was a troublesome race for the Spaniard phisically, it was his first dominant victory after the hard-fought wins that he secured in Silverstone (2022) and Singapore (2023).

On the different aspect of the storage, Charles Leclerc delivered a faultess efficiency, though his race was compromised by his begin place that compelled him to pit early. This technique determination that was taken in an effort to undercut Lando Norris meant that he was compelled to finish a really lengthy center stint. In consequence, the Monegasque was unable to problem his team-mate, however he confirmed his tempo by setting the quickest race lap in Melbourne regardless of being on barely older tyres than his direct rivals.

Carlos Sainz, 1st
“What a rollercoaster! I’m extraordinarily joyful! I felt good within the automotive proper from lap 1 and after overtaking Max (Verstappen), after I was in free air, I began setting a powerful tempo that took me all the best way to the end line, bringing dwelling the primary win of the season. I’m additionally joyful that George is OK after the heavy crash.

“The staff deserves this one-two, we did a implausible job all weekend, from FP1 to the final lap. We executed an ideal race, nailed the technique and the mechanics have been unbelievable delivering exact and fast pit stops each single time. Congratulations to everybody! Let’s carry this momentum to Japan! Vamos!”

Charles Leclerc, 2nd

“It was a very good weekend for the staff. We maximised our factors and left nothing on the desk, bringing dwelling a 1-2 end and the quickest lap. Carlos did a strong job immediately. On my aspect, I had first stint and we managed to get forward of Lando (Norris) in the course of the pit cease. I struggled a bit with graining on my first set of hards and had a stronger tempo on the final stint on the second set of hards, managing the hole to Lando.

“We’ve began out the season with three weekends by which we’ve got made essentially the most of our potential, which feels actually good and is a sworn statement to all of the arduous work that our staff has put in over the previous months.”

McLaren have scored their first podium of the season with Lando Norris ending third behind the 2 Ferraris. Their MCL38 has been very constant and fast all by way of the weekend with the Albert Park circuit’s medium- and high-speed corners having favoured the automotive’s strengths.

After Oscar Piastri elected to pit early for recent hards, he was on the again foot in comparison with his team-mate. It was due to this fact no shock that the staff requested the Australian to swap place with Norris in an effort to let the Briton chase Charles Leclerc.

Lando Norris, third
“Our first podium of the season! It was an excellent day for us. P3, P4 and plenty of factors within the championship. I believe our tempo was robust immediately, however Ferrari and Carlos did an excellent job, so hats off to them. They’ve been quick all weekend. The automotive felt good, and I might handle the tyres very properly immediately, and that was step.

“It’s clear that this circuit fits us slightly bit extra, so we’ve been in a position to push and unlock slightly little bit of velocity. However Ferrari and Purple Bull are nonetheless one or two steps forward of us, so we have to catch up. A giant because of everybody in McLaren, they’ve been working extremely arduous. We’re getting nearer to our goal. I wasn’t anticipating to be on the rostrum but it surely’s good to be again, I’m very joyful and pleased with our staff. Hopefully, we are able to have many extra.”

Oscar Piastri, 4th
“P4. A superb outcome for us. I believe the tempo was good the entire method by way of. I struggled slightly bit on the primary set of Hards, I simply grained them slightly bit after which had slightly little bit of a second. I believe it was an excellent day when it comes to factors for the staff. I do not assume there was an excessive amount of we might have executed on my aspect, so yeah, I’m fairly joyful. So near a podium however it can come. Lando did an incredible job immediately getting the P3. All in all, a profitable week at dwelling.”

Purple Bull have had a bizarre weekend. They seemed to be robust from the primary laps onwards on Friday, however Ferrari appeared nearer to them than within the opening two rounds of the season. The Scuderia topped the second and third follow in addition to the opening and the center phase of qualifying earlier than Verstappen secured pole place from Carlos Sainz.

Within the race, the Dutchman led the best way after the beginning, however Sainz overtook him on Lap 2 earlier than he was compelled to retire with a mechanical subject. It emerged that his brake had been caught on because the lights went out, which led to a fireplace on the appropriate rear nook of the RB20. Verstappen was compelled to limp again to the pits together with his automotive on fireplace for his first retirement in two years.

On the different aspect of the storage, Sergio Perez had a quiet race. The Mexican began solely from P6 after receiving a three-place grid drop penalty for holding up Nico Hulkenberg within the opening qualifying session. Alongside a minor flooring harm, the five-time race winner appeared to lack race velocity and endure from graining on his entrance tyres simply as he did on Friday.

Max Verstappen, DNF

“It’s unlucky about what occurred immediately, however we are able to see thus far within the knowledge that as quickly because the lights went off the appropriate rear brake simply caught on and locked. It was principally like driving with the hand brake on so, in fact, the temperature simply saved on rising after which I might see smoke seem because it had caught fireplace.

“This on the time was very complicated because the automotive was actually bizarre to drive in some corners. At flip three, I braked and misplaced the rear finish of the automotive; it felt bizarre on the rear axel, then on flip six and 7 it snapped on me. The Staff will examine and we’ll see if there are any solutions however there are some issues you’ll be able to’t management. It’s a disgrace because the automotive felt actually good within the laps to the grid, however you can’t management these points and these items occur.

“After all, I’m disillusioned we didn’t end the race as we had shot at successful and the automotive has been enhancing all through the weekend. We knew a day like might come in some unspecified time in the future so we should be proud that we’ve got had an incredible run with 9 races in a row and we are able to come again stronger for Suzuka.”

Sergio Perez, fifth
“I don’t assume it was a great weekend for us, since Friday we had struggled fairly a bit with the long term and we tried completely different options and compromises for Saturday however we couldn’t get a complete deal with on it. Within the first stint the steadiness was tremendous impartial, I didn’t have any rear grip and we utterly destroyed the rear tyres after which the second stint I utterly destroyed the entrance tyres.

“It wasn’t a pleasant steadiness on the market, it was a little bit of surviving mode with the degradation we had, and we didn’t match as much as Ferrari or McLaren. The grid penalty additionally harmed us as a result of with out that we might have ended up quite a bit additional up. I believe immediately was observe dependent, so hopefully after we go to Japan we’re again on high.”

Mercedes continued their bizarre begin to the season. The Brackley-based outfit confirmed flashes of nice velocity at numerous factors of the weekend, however they have been unable to ship when it actually mattered. They lacked one-lap velocity in qualifying which meant that Hamilton and Russell certified solely eleventh and seventh respectively.

Throughout the 58-lap race, the seven-time world champion was compelled to retire with an influence unit subject on Lap 17 whereas Russell lacked race tempo earlier than enduring an enormous crash within the closing phases of the race.

Lewis Hamilton, DNF
“My race was going OK up till the purpose we suffered the Energy Unit failure. It’s fairly robust to overhaul right here however we had gained some positions early on with the Tender tyre. It was unlucky that we needed to retire as there was nonetheless an extended strategy to go. I used to be starting to press on, however the Energy Unit simply stopped. These items occur and I do know we’ll bounce again.

“We will even enhance the automotive because the season goes on. We’ve executed so in earlier years, and I’m assured we’ll accomplish that once more. It’s robust that we aren’t as aggressive as we wish in the meanwhile, however we’ll maintain working arduous. I’m targeted on doing that with the staff. Within the brief time period, I anticipate we’ll nonetheless discover it tough to problem additional up however we’ll see what we are able to do within the medium time period.”

George Russell, DNF
“I’m OK after the accident fortuitously. I don’t actually know learn how to clarify what occurred. I used to be half-a-second behind Fernando (Alonso) 100 metres earlier than the nook after which abruptly he got here again in the direction of me extraordinarily rapidly. It was clear that he braked sooner than he had executed on earlier laps after which acquired again on the throttle. I wasn’t anticipating that, and it caught me unexpectedly. I hit the wall and had a dramatic few seconds after that.

“It was a disappointing finish to a tough race. Our tempo wasn’t the place we wished it to be. We confirmed spells of excellent lap instances however finally we’ve acquired work to do to catch these forward. We might be targeted on how we are able to make enhancements forward of Japan in two weeks’ time.”

Aston Martin endured a tough qualifying, however they may capitalize on the misfortunes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to attain twelve factors in Australia. Nonetheless, it was a moderately tough experience for the Silverstone-based outfit down below in Melbourne. Whereas Lance Stroll sounded delighted after the race, Fernando Alonso had an eventful race.

The Spaniard was clearly the quicker Aston Martin driver within the race, however he was hit with a twenty-second penalty for altering his driving fashion in an “extraordinary” method which led to George Russell’s enormous crash. In consequence, the two-time world champion dropped down the order to P8 behind his staff mate and RB racer Yuki Tsunoda.

Fernando Alonso, eighth
“We have been slightly fortunate with the timing of the Digital Security Automotive when Lewis [Hamilton] retired. Then I used to be fairly joyful sat behind Checo [Perez] as a result of I might use the DRS to drag a spot. I misplaced lots of time when Charles [Leclerc] got here out from the pits – however these seconds we gained proved to be gold mud on the finish.

“Within the closing laps, George caught me rapidly. I knew that he was coming, then he was in DRS vary for 5 – 6 laps, so I used to be simply doing qualifying laps to remain forward. I wished to maximise my exit velocity from Flip Six to defend in opposition to him. That is what any racing driver would do, and I did not really feel it was harmful. It is disappointing to get a penalty from the stewards for what was arduous however truthful racing. Nonetheless, I am glad that George is okay. It was not good to see his automotive in the course of the observe.

“This wasn’t the perfect weekend for us when it comes to tempo, however our race was properly executed: good technique, unbelievable pit-stops, nice reliability. I believe we most likely scored extra factors immediately than our tempo merited – however we’ll take that.”

Lance Stroll, sixth
“It was a strong race immediately and I am happy to choose up just a few factors. I had a powerful begin, gaining a few locations on the primary lap, after which settled into rhythm. As anticipated, managing the tyres was the most important problem because of the excessive degradation, however I taken care of them properly and the staff did job with the race technique. We nonetheless have some extra tempo to search out within the automotive, however I believe we go away Australia realizing we made the a lot of the package deal we’ve got.”

The Visa Money App RB squad had a powerful weekend in Australia. Yuki Tsunoda certified eighth, beating the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Though he wanted some misfortunes for Hamilton, Alonso, Max Verstappen and George Russell, he was in a position to capitalize on these incidents and went on to attain a invaluable haul of factors for the Faenza-based outfit.

Residence favorite Daniel Ricciardo appeared robust in qualifying, however a observe limits infringement meant that he was knocked out on the finish of the primary qualifying phase. Though he confirmed flashes of encouraging tempo, particularly throughout his final stint, he ended the race down in P12, 5 locations behind his team-mate.

Daniel Ricciardo, twelfth

“After final evening, I let go of the frustration and put it apart coming into the race. I attempted to get essentially the most out of immediately and there have been some good stints in there. Loads of drivers pitted early like me, however ranging from the again of the grid, we needed to strive one thing. I believe within the first stint on the arduous compound I misplaced slightly little bit of time because the graining got here up fairly quickly with the VSC, however the second was positively extra aggressive.

“I used to be in a position to drive on a low 1:21 as a lap time earlier than we acquired some blue flags, so there have been definitely some good and inspiring moments all through the race. However, I believe we’re nonetheless lacking some issues as generally I really feel like and I’m not carrying sufficient velocity in some corners. Throughout the race, I marked some factors which can be good for gathering knowledge and can assist us proceed understanding our automotive. Clearly, I’d have liked to have a greater weekend and begin to the season, particularly after the preparation I had coming into it.

“Nonetheless, there’s no panic, we proceed holding our eyes on the prize and dealing collectively. I really feel just like the automotive itself has probably not modified from final 12 months, it’s an replace however the traits are very related. There’s some confidence in that and I don’t assume we’ve got to alter all the things, so we’ll discover one thing in one of many subsequent weekends to proceed the constructive efficiency development.”

Yuki Tsunoda, seventh
“Lastly, a high 10 end, the staff positively deserves it, and I’m very joyful! We have been very constant all through this weekend and the automotive felt good right away, so we simply needed to put all of it collectively and have a clear race to attain factors on this tight midfield, and we have been in a position to obtain that immediately. We didn’t make any errors and it’s essential for the staff and me to have that confidence going into the subsequent races. To have a clear race sounds straightforward, however the final two races have been irritating for us, so ending P8 immediately, after a productive restructuring, was positively deserved.

“The staff did a implausible job, and I can see the staff is considerably enhancing each race. The distinction within the automotive between the identical time in Melbourne final 12 months and this 12 months is spectacular. The quantity of labor we put into that automotive was large and the work positively paid off. To be trustworthy, the race wasn’t really easy as a result of different groups really picked up their tempo fairly a bit, however I’m very joyful we have been in a position to maximise our efficiency and alternative, and glad to listen to that George is okay in the long run. The entire weekend is an effective way to enter Japan, particularly with this outcome below the belt, and not less than, I’m in a position to give some hope to the Japanese followers.

“I haven’t scored any F1 factors at my dwelling Grand Prix, however the automotive seems to be good, so let’s strive once more this 12 months. I’ve been resetting myself each week and our automotive has been very constant which is completely different in comparison with final 12 months, in order that’s a energy. For myself, I simply study from earlier races and concentrate on what I can do higher to assist the staff. Now it’s time for us to analyse, reset and push once more in Japan!”

Having struggled with tyre put on all by way of final season, Haas have clearly made enormous inroads when it comes to tyre administration for 2024. The American outfit completed within the factors with each vehicles in Melbourne, capitalizing on the misfortunes for Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and George Russell.

The staff’s two drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen sounded relieved and optimistic that they’ve a a lot better platform to construct on in races this 12 months after typically having dropped down the order in races final 12 months as a result of heavy tyre put on.

Nico Hulkenberg, ninth

“The primary VSC helped me and I overtook a automotive at every of my stops on the pit exit and that basically made my race immediately, that along with the VSC and our teamwork – so I’m actually joyful. Getting P9 and P10 with one high automotive crashing out and Verstappen having to retire, it’s nonetheless the case the place if the highest 5 groups end, there’s not a lot left. I really feel extra inspired immediately that the automotive felt higher than in qualifying yesterday, which is completely different from final 12 months, but it surely’s sensible to have it this manner round.”

Kevin Magnussen, tenth

“We acquired each vehicles within the factors with nice teamwork as soon as once more. The VSC didn’t assist me, however on the flipside, it helped Nico so we might get him again into the battle and it’s implausible to get three factors right here. It’s very encouraging and it’s a unique strategy to go racing; final 12 months we awakened on race day realizing it’s not going to be good. At the moment, I awakened realizing we’d have an opportunity to battle, and it was true. We have been stronger with our race tempo than qualifying, and we simply have to maintain working on this path.”

Williams have endured a really tough weekend after Alexander Albon had suffered a heavy crash in Free Observe 1. The Thai driver misplaced management of his FW46 with the incident inflicting vital harm to the chassis of his automotive. The staff determined to withdraw Logan Sargeant and hand over the Miami-born driver’s automotive to Albon, believing that they’ve higher possibilities to attain factors with the previous Purple Bull driver on the Albert Park circuit that often turns into a pageant of incidents and interruptions.

The staff’s determination appeared justified in the course of the race as Albon was set to attain factors earlier than working out of tyres within the last a part of the grand prix. Within the meantime, the staff has despatched the Thai drivers’ chassis again to Grove and it’s hopeful that it may possibly restore the damages it has sustained forward of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Alex Albon, eleventh
“Our early pit stops have been disguising our lack of race tempo immediately; we tried to remain within the race by pitting early and getting again observe place however finally the tempo of our rivals was too robust. Each time I attempted to match the tempo with the vehicles round me, I’d grain and after I might do my very own race, I used to be three and a half tenths off the tempo. We had lots of graining and have been combating the automotive in every single place, so we have to have take a look at why. With three of the highest groups retiring, it’s irritating that we couldn’t capitalise on this and our rivals did, but it surely exhibits our tempo wasn’t fast sufficient to nonetheless be sitting exterior the factors.

“It’s been a troublesome weekend for us at Williams however we’ve pulled by way of fairly properly and actually come collectively as a staff. Everybody on the observe has actually dug deep so I can solely thank them for his or her arduous work and dedication and naturally to Logan for being a real staff participant. In truth, I’m fairly pleased with my efficiency contemplating the circumstances however we’re going to proceed to rally as a staff and hopefully come again combating in Japan.”

Alpine had a really tough begin to their season after realizing that they’ve slipped all the way down to the underside finish of the pecking order. Nonetheless, the staff has proven some enhancements over the Melbourne weekend. Esteban Ocon managed to get himself by way of into the second qualifying phase, however a tear-off acquired caught within the rear brake duct of his automotive within the race which compelled him to carry out an additional cease.

The Enstone-based squad intends to introduce just a few upgrades within the coming races which ought to assist them to shut the hole to their direct rivals, Haas, Kick Sauber, Williams and RB.

Esteban Ocon, sixteenth
“It was an unlucky race immediately, as we needed to make an additional cease to take away a tear-off caught within the rear brake duct. Earlier than the pit-stop I used to be working in a gaggle with Alex [Albon] and Kevin [Magnussen], and in entrance of Nico [Hülkenberg]. With out that additional cease, we have been most likely in with an opportunity of scoring factors taking a look at how the race unfolded.

“At the moment, and this weekend on the whole, the automotive felt a bit higher and exhibits that we’re making some progress. We have to take it step-by-step and maintain pushing forward of Japan, which is a race I’m actually trying ahead to, because it’s considered one of my favorite tracks and the followers there make it additional particular.”

Pierre Gasly, thirteenth
“There is no such thing as a satisfaction to take from immediately’s outcome as ending exterior of the factors isn’t the place we intend to complete races. We made some progress, although, and we tried to maximise what we had and I’d say we did that immediately. I attempted my greatest contained in the automotive, it was a tough race at instances, however we caught with it proper to the top.

“We’ll all proceed our collective arduous work. We’ve some components coming quickly as we maintain closing the hole to these forward of us. It’s been a busy week in Australia and I already look ahead to racing in Suzuka, considered one of my favourites on the Method 1 calendar.”

One other promise and one other disappointment! Kick Sauber had a reasonably good qualifying with Valtteri Bottas whereas Zhou Guanyu was compelled to begin the race from the pit lane after reverting to an older specification entrance wing. Nonetheless, the staff encountered points in the course of the pit cease within the third consecutive race.

The Hinwil-based outfit has made precautionary tweaks to the {hardware} for this weekend, however they have been not sure whether or not the modifications could be sufficient to beat all the problems. Whereas Bottas was held up in Bahrain and Zhou in Jeddah, it was the Finn’s flip in Melbourne to face pit cease points as soon as once more. The staff misplaced a wheelnut that popped out of the gun and rolled into the quick lane and thus probably into the trail of different vehicles.

Valtteri Bottas, 14th
“It’s by no means nice to see race come to nothing: it’s irritating as, till the pit cease, issues have been going rather well. We had begin, most significantly we had robust tempo and we must always have gotten factors. It’s apparent that we nonetheless need to work to unravel the problems affecting us: what we’ve got executed thus far has diminished the incidence quite a bit, however the threat remains to be there – as we’ve got seen immediately. There’s a component of unhealthy luck there, and there’s nothing the pit crew might have executed otherwise, it’s a technical subject that must be solved.

“We are able to nonetheless discover some positives – our efficiency is enhancing, we’ve got made a step ahead with the upgrades the staff has introduced and we must always have been within the factors. We have been combating with Fernando within the opening phases, and I imagine P8 or P9 would have been inside attain. We maintain working arduous: there might be extra upgrades coming quickly and I believe we are able to make an excellent larger step in Japan.”

Zhou Guanyu, fifteenth
“This weekend was a tough one. Ranging from the pit lane is at all times difficult, and being caught in a DRS prepare made it tough for me to overhaul. There have been some factors up for grabs for the staff immediately, however, sadly, we didn’t handle to be up there, combating for them.

“Throughout my second pit cease, I skilled a problem, exterior of my management, associated to my gearbox – after I known as for the gear, the automotive stalled which price me loads of time. Total, our race tempo continued to look fairly robust and aggressive with the groups round us. It’s been a misplaced alternative, however as a staff, we’ll proceed our work to bounce again in Suzuka.”

F1GP Australiaearlier