The last time the Formula 1 circus came to the city was in 2020, when the unfortunate plans to continue the race despite the emerging threat of COVID19 were canceled a few hours before the first training session. Since 2019, the last time the Grand Prix was held, Melbourne’s Albert Park track has undergone major renovations designed to improve the speed and ability of drivers to overtake the famous difficult track, which we hope means we are in a fast race full of duels at the front of the herd that we have already enjoyed so much this season. Yesterday’s training session saw the continuation of Mercedes’ disappointing start to 2022: Lewis Hamilton was only able to finish 13th after P2, with George Russell two places higher in 11th. Speaking before training, Russell admitted that Mercedes was “far behind Ferrari and Red Bull” and Lewis Hamilton said after the second session that it was “difficult”. Of those two teams this season, Ferrari remains a nose ahead. Carlos Sainz was ahead in P1 and after P2 was third fastest, with Charles Leclerc giving the pace. The favorite for the weekend, world champion Max Verstappen, was two tenths behind Leclerc. Alpine’s Fernando Alonso was a surprise in fourth place, with Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate completing the top five. But after training three earlier today, it was McLaren and Lando Norris who found the fastest pace. The British team had a miserable start to the season, but made the necessary changes to push Norris ahead of Leclerc and move favorites Daniel Ricciardo to sixth place faster, ahead of Verstappen in seventh and Hamilton in eighth. But who will get pole today in view of tomorrow’s race?
