I thought I'd kick this off for this year already. Last year Hulkenberg and Renault were the champions with some stiff competition from Haas and Force India. One could have expected Renault to pull clear from the midfield, but based on Melbourne that is not the case and class 2 seems to offer us a tight battle this year as well.
AUSTRALIAN GP - MELBOURNE
Qualifying:
1. Grosjean - Haas
2. Magnussen - Haas
3. Norris - McLaren
4. Räikkönen - Alfa Romeo
5. Perez - Racing Point
6. Hulkenberg - Renault
7. Ricciardo - Renault
8. Albon - Toro Rosso
9. Giovinazzi - Alfa Romeo
10. Kvyat - Toro Rosso
11. Stroll - Racing Point
12. Sainz - McLaren
13. Russell - WIlliams
14. Kubica - Williams
Race:
1. Magnussen - Haas
2. Hulkenberg - Renault +6,8s
3. Räikkönen - Alfa Romeo +7,9s
4. Stroll - Racing Point + 8,6s
5. Kvyat - Toro Rosso +9,2s (fastest lap)
6. Norris - McLaren +49,2s
7. Perez - Racing Point +49,7s
8. Albon - Toro Rosso +50,4s
9. Giovinazzi - Alfa Romeo +1.11,7s
10. Russell - Williams +1 lap (+68,4s)
11. Kubica - Williams +2 laps (+1 lap)
NC Grosjean - Haas
NC Ricciardo - Renault
NC Sainz - McLaren
Class 2 WDC:
1. Magnussen - Haas 25
2. Hulkenberg - Renault 18
3. Räikkönen - Alfa Romeo 15
4. Stroll - Racing Point 12
5. Kvyat - Toro Rosso 11
6. Norris - McLaren 8
7. Perez - Racing Point 6
8. Albon - Toro Rosso 4
9. Giovinazzi - Alfa Romeo 2
10. Russell - Williams 1
Class 2 WCC:
1. Haas 25
2. Renault 18
2. Racing Point 18
4. Alfa Romeo 17
5. Toro Rosso 15
6. McLaren 8
7. Williams 1
Tbh apart from Williams it looks like anyone could win. Haas and Renault for sure look strong. I have a feeling that Kimi will finish high with consistent good results, Giovinazzi is a bit of a question mark and you really need two good drivers to finish well up in the WCC. Perez is always good, and Stroll seems like a pretty good racer, even if he benefited this time from a good strategy. Toro Rossos seemed to have good pace, and I think this year they work much more closely with Red Bull, which could give a boost to their in-season development. Norris really shined in qualifying, Sainz had a weekend to forget but McLaren seem pretty competitive so they could be up there as well. Williams are absolutely nowhere, but I suppose it could be interesting to watch Russell and Kubica battle it out. Early days yet, I guess after 3 or 4 races we'll be a bit wiser.
Edited by Wingcommander, 28 March 2019 - 14:52.