(Motorsport-Total.com) – Before the first race of the new Formula 1 era in Melbourne, many things point to a clear distribution of power. Mercedes seems to be the big favorite after qualifying and practice data – but at the same time, the entire paddock warns of numerous unknowns.
Read more After internal team scare: Lindblad exceeds own expectations
Because with the new regulations, complex energy management, and unfamiliar start procedures, the Grand Prix could be anything but predictable.
Glock expects a “stroll” for Mercedes
Sky expert Timo Glock sees the starting situation clearly. For him, many things suggest that Mercedes could control the race. “Fundamentally, I am sure it will be a stroll for Mercedes at the front,” says the former Formula 1 pilot.
The data from Friday’s long runs support this assessment. Mercedes was around 0,6 seconds per lap faster than Ferrari, the second-fastest team. Red Bull was already 0,8 seconds behind, while McLaren even lost 1,27 seconds per lap.
Glock therefore believes that the rest of the field must focus primarily on their own race. “The rest have to see – especially the midfield teams – that they simply reach the finish line.”
Especially because of the technical complexity of the new cars, simply finishing the race could be decisive. “If you just finish the race, you almost have a guaranteed place in the points,” says Glock. “I do believe we will see some retirements in the race.”
Wolff remains cautious despite pace advantage
Despite the strong data, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff wants to hear nothing of certain dominance. He emphasizes that the first race of the season holds many unknowns. “I am never confident,” says Wolff when asked about the favorite role.
Although the long run on Friday indeed looked strong. “The long run was good,” he confirms. The car also worked immediately in qualifying: “We went out and the time was there.” Nevertheless, what happens in the race remains decisive. “If we can win the race, that would be good for a start.”
Wolff sees energy management in particular as a major learning phase for all teams. “It will be a learning curve,” he explains. Especially in race conditions, one must first understand how to optimally manage the battery, turbo, and engine.
Russell: Even finishing will be difficult
Mercedes driver George Russell also warns against seeing the race as too easy. Even basic procedures have become significantly more complicated with the new cars. “Our goal at the moment is simply to reach the finish line,” says Russell despite pole position.
Read more Formula 1 Live Ticker: Mercedes dominates the first qualifying of the year
Many things that were previously taken for granted have suddenly become complicated. This even includes pit stops or start procedures. “You have to get the engine into the right window, the turbo speed isn’t always right, the battery must be neither too empty nor too full,” explains Russell. “Even the race starts are a challenge.”
Therefore, Mercedes primarily wants to experience a clean race without mistakes. “Of course we want to win and dominate,” says Russell. “But we have to get through the race first.”
Ferrari and Red Bull hope for chances
The competition expects strong Mercedes pace but does not want to admit defeat yet. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc sees potential opportunities especially at the start. His engine could be brought into the optimal window for the start more easily.
“Our engine might be a bit easier to start,” says Leclerc. However, he immediately qualifies this: “If Mercedes does everything perfectly, I don’t expect them to have problems.” Nevertheless, the practice starts at the Bahrain test showed that the Ferrari could potentially gain many positions at the start.
Fundamentally, Leclerc expects an extremely unpredictable race. “There are many unknowns,” he says. Especially in the early stages, the field could quickly get shuffled. “You can easily overtake cars in the first lap – and in the next lap suddenly be overtaken by half the grid again.”
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, who will start the race from 3rd place, also does not believe that Mercedes can be beaten at the moment. “No,” he says directly to the corresponding question. “We simply don’t have the pace to win.”
Chaos race possible
In addition to pure performance, the new energy management also plays a major role in the course of the race. Teams and drivers must constantly weigh energy use against battery charging. This is exactly why some drivers expect a completely unusual race.
Cadillac driver Sergio Pérez puts it particularly drastically: “I think it will be chaos tomorrow. It will be a video game race,” he says. “I just hope I have fun.”
Read more Why the Formula 1 debut in Australia is «four times as difficult» for Cadillac