Vettel returns, local-hero Daniel Ricciardo gets a warm welcome and Mercedes are set for a massive update to their W13 challenger. This is some of what we can expect ahead of the 2022 Australian Grand Prix.
Important times to look out for:
Practice 1 (8 April) – 05:00 – 06:00
Practice 2 (8 April) – 08:00 – 09:00
Practice 3 (9 April) – 05:00 – 06:00
Qualifying (9 April) – 08:00 – 09:00
Race (10 April) – 07:00 – 09:00
After news last week announced that a Las Vegas street circuit would be added to the 2023 calendar, the series will now be travelling Down Under for a 58 lap jaunt around the traditional Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.
This is the first time Formula 1 will be held in the country since 2019, after Covid-19 disrupted the subsequent events and the 2020 edition was cancelled just hours before it was set to take place.
There have been some changes made to the 5.279 km circuit which has been resurfaced and shortened by 24 metres in comparison to years before. There will be four DRS zones to aid with overtaking which should make racing among the pack exciting for fans watching, particularly if season front runners Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc put on another masterful display of wheel-to-wheel racing.
Don’t rule Mercedes out either, the British outfit will be bringing a raft of upgrades to their W13 which include their defective floor which has suffered greatly from porpoising from the onset of the season. The team are adamant that these upgrades will not put them in race-winning contention yet however.
German Sebastian Vettel returned to the paddock after missing the first two races on account of Covid-19 and a pleasant welcome for Daniel Ricciardo was placed by Heinken on a billboard at the circuit. The Aussie will look to collect his first points at his home race.
There is a low chance of rain at the 2022 Australian Grand Prix with moderate temperatures ranging in the mid 20s throughout the weekend so there aren’t expected to be many disruptions from mother nature.