Australian Rookie Review
So the dust has now settled on the first race of the year and this year’s exceptional bunch of rookies have now been blooded; but how did they fare during the first race of the season?
The step between Formula 1 and its feeder series is notoriously difficult with many drivers failing to make the adjustment to a much more demanding car but also the increased media scrutiny and much more corporate atmosphere that exists at the epoch of motor racing. This year’s bunch of rookies have an unusually high pedigree; how did they get on against their more seasoned adversaries?
The step between Formula 1 and its feeder series is notoriously difficult with many drivers failing to make the adjustment to a much more demanding car but also the increased media scrutiny and much more corporate atmosphere that exists at the epoch of motor racing. This year’s bunch of rookies have an unusually high pedigree; how did they get on against their more seasoned adversaries?
Alexander Albon – Torro Rosso
This Thai-British racing driver had joined the Torro Rosso line-up alongside on and off Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat who is now looking at his third chance at redemption. Albon has looked the least assured of the new drivers entering F1 with a patchy record in winter testing. His spin in Free Practice 1 damaging both ends of the car seemed to suggest that he was struggling but come Qualifying Albon found the pace that allowed him to narrowly outqualify his teammate; an achievement not to be underestimated against a driver who has already made more than one podium appearance. A 1.8 second speed difference to overtake at Melbourne and DRS train behind Giovinazzi probably stopped Albon from showing what he is really capable of but he kept it clean in his first F1 race and has now made the transition to the big leagues. Alex is ranked second of our rookies on Review.
This Thai-British racing driver had joined the Torro Rosso line-up alongside on and off Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat who is now looking at his third chance at redemption. Albon has looked the least assured of the new drivers entering F1 with a patchy record in winter testing. His spin in Free Practice 1 damaging both ends of the car seemed to suggest that he was struggling but come Qualifying Albon found the pace that allowed him to narrowly outqualify his teammate; an achievement not to be underestimated against a driver who has already made more than one podium appearance. A 1.8 second speed difference to overtake at Melbourne and DRS train behind Giovinazzi probably stopped Albon from showing what he is really capable of but he kept it clean in his first F1 race and has now made the transition to the big leagues. Alex is ranked second of our rookies on Review.
George Russell – Williams
George Russell has made an assured transition into Formula 1 and neither the bright lights or utter lack of performance from the Williams’ car so far this season seems to have phased him. Having won the F2 championship last year it may have all seemed like a bit of a come down and it is the utter lack of performance from his car that makes Russell’s performance so hard to judge. He is certainly outperforming his struggling, more experienced, teammate and both outqualified him and finished ahead in the race at Albert Park, but there is no way to gauge his performance against the rest of the field. What is certain is that he will be a huge asset in helping Williams to try and turn their season around. It is testament to his maturity that he was talking about how he can help to move the team forwards and not how he beat his teammate post-race in Melbourne. There is undoubtedly more to come from Russell but his inability to compete with anyone other than his teammate find him ranked bottom of our rookies.
George Russell has made an assured transition into Formula 1 and neither the bright lights or utter lack of performance from the Williams’ car so far this season seems to have phased him. Having won the F2 championship last year it may have all seemed like a bit of a come down and it is the utter lack of performance from his car that makes Russell’s performance so hard to judge. He is certainly outperforming his struggling, more experienced, teammate and both outqualified him and finished ahead in the race at Albert Park, but there is no way to gauge his performance against the rest of the field. What is certain is that he will be a huge asset in helping Williams to try and turn their season around. It is testament to his maturity that he was talking about how he can help to move the team forwards and not how he beat his teammate post-race in Melbourne. There is undoubtedly more to come from Russell but his inability to compete with anyone other than his teammate find him ranked bottom of our rookies.
Lando Norris – McLaren
There were big expectations for Lando Norris on his debut having much like Russell demonstrated raw talent in spades in the junior formulas. Lando Norris did not disappoint putting in an excellent performance in Qualifying to make it through to Q3, qualifying 8th much to the great relief of McLaren fans everywhere. A slow get away meant that Norris was also a victim of the Giovinazzi DRS train finishing the race in 12th. Lando Norris was perhaps overly critical of himself after the race but this is also probably a positive from a driver who has previously perhaps seemed a little too pleased with himself. A great qualifying and a performance in the race, that cannot really be faulted less the start, sees Lando Norris rated as our top rookie in Australia.
There were big expectations for Lando Norris on his debut having much like Russell demonstrated raw talent in spades in the junior formulas. Lando Norris did not disappoint putting in an excellent performance in Qualifying to make it through to Q3, qualifying 8th much to the great relief of McLaren fans everywhere. A slow get away meant that Norris was also a victim of the Giovinazzi DRS train finishing the race in 12th. Lando Norris was perhaps overly critical of himself after the race but this is also probably a positive from a driver who has previously perhaps seemed a little too pleased with himself. A great qualifying and a performance in the race, that cannot really be faulted less the start, sees Lando Norris rated as our top rookie in Australia.
Antonio Giovinazzi – Alfa Romeo
An honourable mention should also probably go out to Antonio Giovinazzi who is not technically a rookie due to his two races covering for Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber last season. He put in a solid performance although he was put in the shade somewhat by his teammate’s performance and a very strange strategy call by Alfa Romeo saw him stay out long enough on his first set of tyres to compromise not just his own race but also the race of many of the drivers stuck in a train behind him.
An honourable mention should also probably go out to Antonio Giovinazzi who is not technically a rookie due to his two races covering for Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber last season. He put in a solid performance although he was put in the shade somewhat by his teammate’s performance and a very strange strategy call by Alfa Romeo saw him stay out long enough on his first set of tyres to compromise not just his own race but also the race of many of the drivers stuck in a train behind him.
Ultimately it was a great weekend for all of the rookies who established their right to drive at the top of motorsport. It will be an exciting season where a closer midfield will mean that there will be plenty of points on offer for these exciting new F1 drivers.
Comments
Post a Comment