In 2020, the Formula One teams had landed in Melbourne, the bunting and the promotional material was going up all over the city. The excitement was building up, but so were the worrying stories of a new virus that had broken out in China and no one knew what to do about it. Then the decision was made. Shut the city and cancel the race.
Two years down the line and the F1 circus is back in town as if the long night of COVID has never been. Melbourne is in revival mode. Southern Cross station is festooned with the colours and designs of Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes and all the others and the people are pouring in to lap it all up. How different the city feels now as it comes out of its long COVID hibernation.
If posts on social media are anything to go by, the excitement in the city is building even as the roar of the cars is heard throughout the city.
This weekend promises to be a celebration not only for petrolheads and honorary members of the tribe, but for the city itself. The signs of its revival are there for all to see, Melburnians are feeling the buzz as they converge on the Albert Park street circuit.
Where Melbourne started the F1 season in previous years, it is this year, the third race of the season. Rule changes have already seen some close racing and Ferrari with Frenchman Charles Leclerc at the wheel is at last becoming a serious contender to challenge the dominance of Red Bull and Mercedes. On Friday afternoon Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and team mate Leclerc were leading first practice – who knows. .
At Albert Park itself there have also been changes to the circuit with the widening of sections of the track that will provide greater overtaking opportunities.
Of course, everyone in Australia will be hoping that our home-boy, the eternally smiling Daniel Ricciardo driving for the legendary McLaren team, will take full advantage of the changes. There is no doubting his talent or his determination. He just needs a nod from the racing gods and a touch of luck.
But the racing at Albert Park is not just about Formula One. Sharing the track is the Melbourne 400 for Supercars with its four-race format that will alternate with F1 over the weekend. With rule changes and the new track format promising to confound many expectations that Dick Johnson Racing and Tickford will dominate. The Triple Eight team did well in testing on the track before the race was cancelled in 2020. Their driver Shane van Gisbergen is topping the table and should be one to watch this weekend. Chaz Mostert who has a good track record in Melbourne is another drive to keep an eye on.
