This week we gone without a Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, or IndyCar race but what we have had is a Formula E race that gave us the first podium featuring 3 drivers all having the same Jaguar powertrain.
Formula E
It was the first Formula E race around the Sao Paulo Street Circuit and it was a race that didn’t disappoint.
The podium featured Mitch Evans in first, Nick Cassidy in second and Sam Bird taking that final third spot.
This is now Cassidy’s third podium in a row, which is made even more impressive by the fact that in those three races the New Zealander has started in 10th, 3rd and 6th.
Embed from Getty ImagesPascal Wehrlein has remained at the top of the championship, but the German has only managed to score 18 points in the last three races which compared to Cassidy’s 51 isn’t what the championship leader will want to be seeing. Wehrlein did win the fan voted driver of the race award though for his efforts in the E-Prix after starting 15th and finishing in 7th position.
There were five DNF’s in the race with the Nissan Formula E Team loosing both their drivers due to contact on the first lap for Norman Nato and a touch with the wall causing Sacha Fenestraz to stop his car out on track.
It’s another long wait until the next race on the 22nd of April but we will be gifted with a double race weekend at the Berlin E-Prix.
In the Berlin race last year, it was Edoardo Mortara who now races for Maserati MSG Racing that won. The man from Switzerland is currently in 19th place in this year’s championship with no race wins or podiums to his name, but as pretty much every race this season has shown, anything can happen in Formula E so don’t write anyone off for getting a podium in this double header race weekend to come.
Formula 1
Even though there has been no race this weekend for Formula One there is still the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to recap as well as preparing for what’s to come in Australia next week.
First of all, Sudi Arabia. It was of course as we all know the Red Bulls who were dominant throughout the whole race weekend. It’s looking like the only two drivers who are within a chance of winning the drivers world championship this season is Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
Mercedes, who once were the most dominant team for many years, are still struggling. Going into Australia there really are question marks from everyone about where the team based in Brackley are going to go next. We all know that Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and the whole of the Mercedes team aren’t going to give up, but when you are hearing that they just don’t feel confident in their car design anymore it is very tough to imagine that this season is going to get any better for them.
Another team that is really struggling is McLaren. A statement was released by the team on Thursday announcing that they are making major changes. Their executive technical director James Key has departed the team with his role being changed from just a single person role to a team role, with Peter Prodromou, David Sanchez and Neil Houldey making up this team. They all will have their own roles and responsibilities that they will need to report to Team Principal Andrea Stella for, but this sounds like a good step forward for the team from Woking which will hopefully bring them that bit closer to fighting up front again.
Embed from Getty ImagesNow moving onto Australia which will be the third race of this season. Red Bull will be hoping to once again claim a 1-2 in the race, but with some slight reliability issues plaguing the team in Saudi Arabia it is not completely outrageous to think that someone else might be able to get the runners up spot or even the win.
The home fans will get there first sighting of Australian Oscar Piastri in an F1 car this coming weekend. While his fellow Aussie Daniel Ricciardo is no longer on the grid Piastri will be buzzing with excitement to relish in the home support that he for sure will get in Melbourne.
Last years race in Australia was won by Charles Leclerc but due to Ferrari’s recent lack of race pace it doesn’t look too likely that Leclerc’s result will be repeated this year with Red Bull once again looking like the favourites to win.
Formula 2
Last weeks Formula 2 catch up was written just after qualifying where we saw Victor Martins take pole position. Since then, we got to watch Ayumu Iwasa and Frederik Vesti win the sprint and feature races.
Both races in Saudi Arabia featured amazing skill and focus from lots of drivers on a track that will punish anyone who makes even a minor error. We saw Ollie Bearman and Victor Martins who are two highly rated drivers make mistakes in the feature race that took them out of the fight for podium places. Luckily for both drivers they have the opportunity to rectify their mistakes this next weekend as F2 head to Australia for the first time.
Embed from Getty ImagesDue to this being the first time F2 has gone to race in Australia the teams aren’t going to have any data from any previous times that they’ve raced in Melbourne, so this is really going to be a weekend where everybody starts on a level playing field. We are going to see which teams can adapt quickly to the new track and also which drivers can adapt quickly as well.
Round-up
After a weekend with not as much racing action we now head into a week with F1, F2, F3 and an IndyCar race in Texas as well. Last year everyone was treated to a great IndyCar race in Texas so with loads to look forward too all of us motorsport fans are going to be giddy with excitement by the time the first practice sessions go ahead next week.
Make sure to check back the Monday after the Australian Grand Prix as I will be back for another weekly round-up of all the action in the world of motorsport.
