🏁 No Appendix, No Problem

PLP Season 2 Edition 13

Well I’m sure glad I managed to avoid spoilers until actually watching the race Monday afternoon, because we got the first spicy one of the season. The roar of the crowd when Sainz overtook Max on lap 2 was all I needed to snap out of the haze of a successful business trip. Who couldn’t at least be a little giddy watching the Red Bull smoke like a barbie and drop down the order. Personally I don’t necessarily root for Max’s brake to you know, literally explode and catch on fire, but c’mon we needed something different to happen!

As predicted the appendix butterfly effect is in full swing: giving us a Sainz victory, putting Ferrari in striking distance of P1, and putting Carlos in position for a top seat in 2025. The smooth operations continue.

Expect Red Bull to bounce back in Japan, but… you’re tellin’ me there’s a chance…

Quick Quiz!

Answer revealed at the bottom ⬇

Australia GP Recap

Podium: 🥇 SAI 🥈 LEC 🥉 NOR

DNF: VER - HAM - RUS

Fastest Lap: LEC

DoTD: SAI

It was said in the intro, but the biggest fireworks were in the opening laps of the race as Sainz overtook the struggling Verstappen to raucous cheers. It can’t be overstated how well the Ferrari driver then managed the rest of the race to take home P1.

McLaren put some pressure on, but couldn’t quite get over the hump. A great result though with a Lando podium and Oscar P4. Lance and Yuki had sneaky good days, though their respective teammates each had troubles for entirely different reasons (more below). Mercedes continued the poor run with a double DNF.

It’s always fun when Red Bull doesn’t dominate but don’t be fooled, they will bounce back next week. It looked like Checo would make a run halfway through the race, but his pace completely dropped off due to a visor tear off stuck in the floor of the car. There were more Albon/Haas duels, but once again Haas came out on top with a double points finish.

Another highlight? Watching the Ferrari team belt the Italian national anthem. (Cut to Max seeing a Ferrari 1-2 on the podium: “Who are these impastas?” 🥁) 

Some other headlines from Aussie land below - but you can get the full race recap here.

Williams To Sargeant: Stand Down, Soldier

After Alex Alon’s crash out in FP1, Williams team principal James Vowles must have been sweating pure vegemite knowing the decision he would now have to make. Due to production issues at Williams they did not have a spare chassis at the race necessary to repair Albon’s car. So, he made the tough call to pull Logan Sargeant out and put Albon in the team’s only good one.

I gotta say, I don’t like the move to pull Sargeant out of the car. We all know he hasn’t shown enough to start the year, but now you’re not going to give him the chance? I get trying to maximize points and it’s about the team, but you’re trying to invest in this guy and taking him out isn’t going to help his confidence. I think you leave him in, try to build him up, and see if he can step up. If it’s race 10 and he’s still not there? Ok. But as Michael Kay says, you can’t be half pregnant. I think that fits here?

Fast forward to next weekend, watch as James Vowles sweats pure soy sauce since they still won’t have a spare chassis available. Williams will need to have a clean weekend in order to ensure they have 2 cars in the race to take any available points in a tight midfield - something have yet to do. And maybe sort out the supply pipeline.

Verstappen’s Streak is Kaput

I won’t say here how long it’s been since it’s the answer to the trivia question, but it’s been awhile since Max had a DNF. Since his last one he broke records for points, took 2 WDC’s, set - and then proceeded to almost break again - the record for most consecutive wins (10).

And this time, it all came down to an improperly secured right rear brake caliper which got stuck at lights out, overheated, and sent the champ out of the race just a few laps in. Thinking about all the moving parts in these cars and how precise everything has to be, it’s astonishing how long the streak lasted. I know it’s tough to see Max win all the time, but we must appreciate the greatness as well. But also… more non-Red Bull wins please 😁. Also - when Max was asked about the Logan situation, he said “If that were to happen to me, I would completely flatten my car, so no one can drive.” 🤣 

Alonso: Racecraft or Brake Test?

One of the best battles of the race saw George Russell trying to chase down Alonso with only a few laps remaining. On the penultimate lap, Alonso took the approach to turn 6 much differently than he had every other lap of the race, braking 100 meters earlier. This move threw off Russell who was all of a sudden right on the Aston’s gear box, and the surprise + air disruption caused him to lose control. It was an ugly crash that saw his car land right in the middle of the track (warning, the radio clip is distressing as George desperately calls for a red flag as he’s a sitting duck right after the spin).

So the debate began, was it an intentional brake test by Alonso, or a legal defensive racing move that simply saw George lose control? The stewards seemed to think the former, Alonso the latter. The data clearly shows there was a difference in how he approached the turn 🔽 

Alonso released a lengthy statement on how he shouldn’t be expected to drive the same every lap, and while he was driving defensively he did say he didn’t quite get the corner right (he also was thankful George was ok. And while he’s a wiley old vet known for his racecraft, I have to believe he didn’t intend for the result). George said that he is the one that went off so it’s on him - but was definitely surprised by Alonso’s approach.

It’s a tough call honestly.. there’s seems to be equal merit on both sides of the debate. I love seeing different strategies play out, but as I always say (a lot of people probably say this), safety first.

Down the Grid

Tech Talk

• According to McLaren’s Andrea Stella, Red Bull didn’t enjoy the tire advantage they are used to on the high-graining track in Melbourne. It also helps that Max’s brakes said “peace” and Checo had a tear off stuck in his floor, but hey, we’ll take it. Another track harsh on tires? Suzuka, where we’ll head next weekend…

• The first significant upgrade for RB is coming for Japan in the form of a new floor - which will make the car less like last year’s AT04.

• Tech Weekly: How Ferrari, Aston, and Kick Sauber initiated the 2024 development race. Includes a subtle new front wing design from Aston made it slightly thinner, a different angle endplate from Sauber, and two tiny winglets at the base of the rear wing from Ferrari.

Off the Grid

• Guenther Steiner has been named Miami GP ambassador which based on my research, does not have any official duties besides shaking hands and kissing babies

• Formula 1 has announced a multi-year partnership with Playseat to produce officially licensed racing simulators. Looks like the top of the line rig will set you back a cool 2.5K euros, while their basic set up is a more manageable 229 euros. I’m getting some type of sim rig in the future… the wife just doesn’t know it yet.

• While on business this past weekend, I planned on trying to get some intel on the set up and general feelings about last year’s Vegas GP. I kind of got sidetracked so I only managed to take this one crappy picture and ask one uber driver about it who said “Yea I took those days off. Took 3 times as long to get anywhere.” There didn’t seem to be much going on by the pit building anyway, but if you squint you can see the cool sign and some of the fence still up. How’s that for on the ground reporting. 🔽 

No race this weekend folks, but we’ll be back next Friday to preview the Japanese GP at Suzuka, a track you’ll usually find on a list of drivers’ favorites. Imagine if we can get this two races in a row? 🔽 

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