The winter wait between the last Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi and the new season in Melbourne is over. The first three free practice sessions of the 75th anniversary year are complete with qualifying and the race yet to come.  The winter dry spell was made slightly more palatable as we watched three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain, the release of Drive to Survive – Season 7, and the recent discovery of @CadenceBraking, a well-informed female TikTok influencer with a passion for racing, especially F1.

I am pleased with the results of these three practice sessions – McLaren papaya and Ferrari red were fast and, unexpectedly, Williams blue joined the quick queue, although poor Ollie Bearman, in Haas white, crashed not once but twice.

P.S. After qualifying – McLaren locked out the front row with Lando Norris on pole and Oscar Piastri starting second for his home race.

P.P.S. On the podium – Lando Norris as winner, Max Verstappen, second, and George Russell in third.