Well, the first thing we learned was that the Hispania Racing Team was truly dreadful. How any team wishing to be part of Formula 1 can appear at the first meeting of the year with two cars that had never turned a wheel is inexcusable. Fortunately, neither car met the 107 percent rule and were non-starters. This is not a team of minnows to be pitied, but a team of incompetents to be laughed out of the paddock.
We also learned that it was possible for a Lada to make the podium and for a rookie to do the entire race with only one stop for tyres, as opposed to the multiple stops of everyone else. We also learned that the highly complex and technical Drag Reduction System (DRS) which was going to give the chasing car 12 km/h increase in top speed, and thus promote passing, did not work. Forget all the theoretical stuff. The movable wing did not work. Period.
While Vettel in the Red Bull was the master class of the entire weekend and fully deserved his win, the real heroes were Petrov in the “Lotus” Renault/Lada, claiming third spot on the podium and Sergio Perez, the Sauber Rookie who came in seventh and only used one set of tyres. How? Wasn’t he told that the Pirelli’s turn into jelly after 15 laps? Well, that’s what they all said (except Perez).
But before Perez had time to celebrate his result, the FIA stepped in and declared both Saubers had illegal rear wings! Now these cars are subjected to scrutiny before they go to race – and apparently were legal, but somehow, after the race they contravene the regulations. These regulations cover size and placement of the wings, easy enough to check, so how did the FIA let Sauber race an “illegal” car and then find infringements afterwards? The stewarding in Formula 1 has always been a joke. Sauber has indicated it will appeal the decision. Good.
While Vettel ran away with the race, it is interesting to look at the fastest laps during the race. Massa and Alonso (Ferrari) were the quickest cars, followed by Webber (Red Bull) and Vettel, followed by Button (McLaren), Perez (Sauber) and Petrov in the “Lotus” Renault. And just by the way, Perez set his fastest time on lap 39, well past the so-called life of the tyres. Another good theory blown away.
Hamilton, in the lead McLaren, had a good race, never letting up, and deserved his second place, as did the Russian Petrov deserve his third. For a driver who was in danger of being dropped after last year, the Australian GP was a great turn-around.
Mark Webber, hoping to please the locals, turned in a very disappointing performance. Almost a second slower than his team mate in qualifying, and finished the race 38 seconds adrift. The Australian’s fans, of which there are many, will be hoping he has a better result in a week’s time in Malaysia. If he wants to drive for Red Bull next year he must improve.
As for the rest? Nowhere.
