The 2023 Formula 1 season is truly getting into gear, and this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix looks set to continue the new campaign’s exciting start. The race in Albert Park will be the third of the year, following on from the season openers in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Last season’s champion driver, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, started his title defence in style when he claimed first place in Bahrain on 5 March. The win never looked in doubt, with Verstappen beating his teammate Sergio Pérez by almost 12 seconds after leading for almost the entire race. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso rounded out the podium, with Carlos Sainz Jr and Lewis Hamilton taking fourth and fifth places respectively.
The next event in Saudi Arabia proved a little less simple for Verstappen. The Dutch driver had to abandon qualifying after a driveshaft failure, ending up in fifteenth place on the starting grid. Despite a strong race, Verstappen could not force his way into the leading spot, and he ended up finishing just behind fellow Red Bull driver Pérez. Alonso came third once again, but not without controversy – he was accused of not observing a time penalty correctly, and a further penalty would have knocked him into fourth place behind George Russell. This sanction was rescinded after an appeal by Aston Martin, allowing Alonso to keep his place and his 15 points.
Heading into Melbourne, Verstappen leads the driver standings by just 1 point, holding 44 points to Pérez’s 43. At this early stage of the season, however, all the drivers know that positions can change in a flash, and no wins can be taken for granted with more than 20 races still to run.
Fans hoping to watch the drama unfold in Melbourne can still get their hands on tickets, but time is running out!
Grandstand seating is available for Sunday’s race, starting at AUD $811, while general admission Park Passes for Sunday are on sale for AUD $83.
Will Verstappen extend his lead, or can Pérez beat his teammate again to claim first place in the standings? The eyes of the motorsports world will be on Melbourne this weekend, and the fans who make it to the circuit will surely have a treat in store.
