The 2023 Australian Grand Prix actually had to explain itself, which seemed about right. The stewards of the third Formula 1 race of the campaign summoned its promoter – the Australian Grand Prix Corporation – to explain how fans had breached safety perimeter fences close to the debris barriers near Turn 1 when action was still ongoing on the final lap. One was actually on the circuit waving manically as soon-to-be winner Max Verstappen swept by celebrating his victory in bizarre, neutralised circumstances.
The Dutchman made it three Red Bull wins in three attempts so far in 2023, with lots of what happened in Melbourne very familiar to the Bahrain and Jeddah proceedings. But they were bookended by two very different chapters – one very good, one very bad.
In the former tale, for once it wasn’t a story of searing Verstappen brilliance. Nor was it an epic refusal to cede even an inch of ground to rivals. But it asked Verstappen two key questions and, had he answered either differently, the Melbourne result would have been very different, even if the two controversial late red flag events remained unchanged.
The obvious reason why Verstappen won the Melbourne race is because his car is simply much better than his opposition’s. But, it’s not so much better that the thrilling circumstances that begin every F1 race – a standing start – don’t leave him and team-mate Sergio Perez vulnerable. Perez paid for poor starts in Bahrain and Jeddah, and in Melbourne Verstappen did too against George Russell. The pair reacted well when the lights went out for the start of 58 laps, but Russell immediately gained as Verstappen’s initial acceleration was sluggish and then he got wheelspin climbing the gears. But the Mercedes’ progress wasn’t so much that Russell could steam into Turn 1
