Charles Leclerc (16) practices on track in his Scuderia Ferrari SF-24 during the opening practice at the Albert Park Circuit ahead of the 2024 Australian Grand Prix (Source: Scuderia Ferrari)
MELBOURNE, Australia — Following Max Verstappen’s dominating win at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix two weeks ago, the Formula 1 grid now heads to the Land Down Under for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix. Drivers like McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc hope to take the fight for victory to Red Bull and Verstappen.
The Albert Park Circuit is a 3.281-mile street course incorporating public roads around a public park. Adding a permanent pit lane and paddock blends the aspects of a street circuit and a traditional road course. Albert Park’s history of hosting the Australian Grand Prix goes back to the 1950s, with a short stint before a 30-year absence, during which some events were held at the Adelaide Street Circuit. Formula 1 made its return to Albert Park in 1996.
In the off-week between the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Australian Grand Prix, it was announced that the Managing Director of the F1 Driver Academy, Susie Wolff, filed a criminal complaint against the FIA following an accusation of alleged conflicts of interest between her, her husband Toto Wolff, and the FIA. That complaint was cleared after an investigation. In a statement on her Instagram account, she stated, “There has still not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel in this matter.”
Only six teams brought an upgrade package for the Grand Prix heading into Australia following logistical challenges of signing off on new parts. Ferrari was the highest-placed team to bring upgrades, including winglets for the rear wing pylon. Aston Martin, Alpine, Williams and Visa Cash App RB implemented various small aerodynamic tweaks. Kick Sauber brought the most upgrades, changing their front and rear wing elements.
F1 tire supplier Pirelli is supplying a softer-than-normal combination of compounds, bringing the C3, C4 and C5 choices to open up more exciting strategy choices for the Grand Prix. Traditionally, this race is one-stop, so making the softer compounds available to teams might open up for a second pit stop. As Mercedes driver George Russell says, “I think it was an easy one-stop in previous years, seemingly so far that’s not going to be the way.”
C3, C4 and C5 are the compounds nominated for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix: a softer selection compared to last year.#Fit4F1 #Formula1 #Pirelli @F1 pic.twitter.com/b2DSO8tA02
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) March 21, 2024
The teams were ready to take to the Albert Park Circuit for the first practice of the Australian Grand Prix and multiple drivers tested the limits of their cars and the track. Many drivers found themselves off-course, mainly in Turns 9 and 10. The Williams of Alex Albon smacked the wall and brought out the red flag to suspend the session with around 20 minutes remaining. Due to Williams’s lack of a spare car, the team announced that Albon would take over Logan Sargeant’s car for the weekend, leaving the American driver out.
Lando Norris (4) on track in his McLaren F1 MCL38 at the Albert Park Circuit ahead of the 2024 Australian Grand Prix (Source: McLaren F1 on X)
When the session resumed, a flurry of activity started as teams bolted on the Soft compound tire. The McLaren of Lando Norris held the benchmark time of the first session. This was a banner start to the weekend, with the contract extension for McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown getting finalized till 2030 topping it off. Following behind the McLaren came the Red Bull of Verstappen and the Mercedes of Russell. Leclerc raced his Ferrari to the fourth quickest time while the Visa Cash App RB of Yuki Tsunoda found himself with the fifth fastest time.
Teams then turned their attention to debriefs and setup changes before the second session to nail down where they would like to see their cars for the rest of the weekend.
Much like the first session, drivers tested the limits of their cars and the track with blustery wind conditions. Once again, drivers went through the grass and gravel in seemingly expensive lawnmowers. Sargeant barely avoided contact with the barriers following a spin while the Mercedes duo of Russell and Lewis Hamilton found themselves off-track. Verstappen also sat out of the first part of the session as his Red Bull team worked on repairing the underside of his car after some damage occurred during the first session.
Charles Leclerc (16) on the Albert Park Circuit in his Scuderia Ferrari SF-24 ahead of the 2024 Australian Grand Prix (Source: Scuderia Ferrari)
By the time the session ended, it was Ferrari who staked a claim that they would possibly bring the fight to Verstappen and Red Bull as Leclerc grabbed the quickest time and his teammate, Carlos Sainz, in his return to the track, sandwiched Verstappen at the top of the board. The Aston Martin duo of Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso rounded out the Top 5 to give an interesting perspective on how the weekend could go.
Now, teams have a day to review the data and prepare for the final practice and qualifying sessions. Has Ferrari set itself up to be the favorite for the weekend, or will Verstappen find time to dominate the weekend like he has for so long?
