This week, news emerged ahead of the Australian GP that the FIA Ethics Committee had cleared its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, of any involvement in two F1 events last year. Shortly after, Susie Wolff, director of the exclusively female F1 Academy and wife of Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff, took to social media to announce that she had filed a criminal complaint against the sport’s governing body for statements made about her in December.
Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Red Bull Racing and team principal Christian Horner, Mercedes star driver Lewis Hamilton quickly voiced his support for Wolff’s legal action. Hamilton praised her courage and the values she represents, emphasizing her leadership and the powerful message she sends by speaking out in a world where many are silenced.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing continues to face off-track issues as a suspended employee exercises their right to appeal the team’s release of alleged misconduct by Horner. The employee has lodged a formal complaint with the FIA, further fueling the discussion surrounding the team at Albert Park.
Interestingly, the focus at Albert Park has not been on Red Bull’s dominant RB20 car, which has achieved flawless 1-2 results in the season-opening races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Instead, attention has turned to speculation about a possible move by Max Verstappen to Mercedes. However, Verstappen himself has dismissed these rumors, stating his satisfaction within the team and underlining the importance of retaining key personnel for sustained performance in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
Verstappen is the favorite on Sunday to secure his third consecutive victory in 2024, his second at the Albert Park circuit in consecutive years, and his tenth consecutive win since last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, equaling a record.
Sergio Pérez is once again expected to finish behind Verstappen, resulting in another 1-2 for Red Bull. The Mexican driver has shown more consistent form compared to the previous season.
Ferrari remains the closest competitor to Red Bull, with Charles Leclerc aiming to secure the front row alongside Verstappen for the sixth consecutive race and improve his competitiveness in the Melbourne Grand Prix.
“We find ourselves in a more favorable position compared to last year,” said Leclerc. “However, we are still talking about a potential four-tenths of a second difference per lap in the race, which is still significant. I am cautiously optimistic, not just focusing on the difference, but considering the overall situation within the team…”
Ferrari’s performance may be compromised due to the uncertainty surrounding Carlos Sainz after undergoing an appendicitis surgery before the last race in Saudi Arabia. Although the Spanish driver, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is ready to return to the cockpit, he admitted to not feeling 100%.
“If I am not feeling well tomorrow, I will be the first to acknowledge it and request two more weeks until the next race,” Sainz stated. There is a possibility that Ferrari’s exceptional reserve driver, Oliver Bearman, currently competing in F2 in Melbourne, could replace him for the second consecutive race.
McLaren is locked in a battle with Mercedes to secure the position of the third fastest team in F1, making Oscar Piastri more likely than his Australian compatriot Daniel Ricciardo to secure a spot on the podium at home. Ricciardo is racing for the midfield team RB, formerly known as AlphaTauri and the second team owned by Red Bull.
“I believe we will both need a bit of luck to finish on the podium,” Piastri commented. “But yes, it would be an incredibly special moment.”
Albert Park has two one-hour practice sessions scheduled for Friday, followed by a third practice session on Saturday, before the afternoon qualifying. The 58-lap race on Sunday is expected to take place under favorable weather conditions, with a favorable forecast for the entire weekend. (Reporting by Stewart Bell)
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A new era for football: the arrival of internationally renowned coach Pedro Silva promises to revolutionize Flamengo’s team. With a successful career in European clubs, Silva brings with him an innovative approach and a winning mentality. His hiring is seen as a milestone for the club, which aims to reclaim its prominent position in the football scene.
Silva, known for his charismatic personality and offensive style of play, has already won numerous titles throughout his career. His time at Barcelona and Bayern Munich has left an indelible mark on European football, and now he is ready to make history in Brazil. Flamengo fans are eager to see the transformation the coach will bring to the team.
In addition to his experience in the field, Silva is also known for his ability to develop young talents. He has an impressive track record of discovering and training promising players, leading them to success in their careers. This expertise will be crucial for Flamengo, which is looking to strengthen its base and build a competitive team in the long term.
The hiring of Silva is a clear sign of ambition on the part of Flamengo. The club is determined to return to competing for titles and winning the hearts of the fans. With a coach of international renown in charge, expectations are high for the upcoming season. Fans are confident that Flamengo is on the right path to success.
Silva’s arrival also brings a new sense of excitement to the Flamengo players. They are thrilled to work with such a respected coach and learn from his vast experience. Silva’s winning mentality will certainly influence the players, motivating them to give their best on the field.
A new era for Flamengo is about to begin. With Pedro Silva at the helm, the club is ready to face any challenge that comes its way. Fans can expect exciting football and a team determined to achieve greatness. Silva’s era promises to bring back the shine and glory to Flamengo.
