Spectres of the race that never was will haunt those who walk back into the paddock for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix – especially Formula One's top decision-makers.
Last time the teams rolled into Melbourne the planet was in the early spasms of a global pandemic. And in their bid to outrun it, those in charge hardly covered themselves in glory.
They tried to pretend the health crisis could be outdistanced by the sheer power of money, or was it that they thought the rules did not apply to them?
Then, the night before the new season was to roar into life, a McLaren mechanic tested positive for Covid. Even with the deadly virus in the paddock it took an all-night meeting for senior figures to agree on the obvious decision.
Despite fears the pandemic could sound the sport’s death knell there have been 41 Grands Prix since — but none in Australia until now.
And, that black episode aside, F1 deserves no little credit for manoeuvring thousands of staff, 660 tons of cargo and seven 747s through a global patchwork of changing health rules and regulations week after week.
Some, like Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, and Sebastian Vettel, have caught the virus and recovered but, thankfully, there were no deaths. Sadly the wider lesson was not taken on board.
When Houthi terrorists attacked an oil depot close to the Saudi Arabian circuit in Jeddah a fortnight back fearful drivers wanted to cut and run. They voted unanimously not to race but were persuaded to change their minds.
F1 cannot be judge and jury on all of mankind’s woes but, surely, there is a middle ground in which the sport’s global influence can shine a light in dark corners where it is needed? The talking has to start before change can begin.
Thankfully, F1 returns to a Melbourne circuit as changed as the world around it.
Drivers at the 2020 Australian GP prior to cancellation
The DRS craze has been extended to four different zones for the first time. It is intended as a boost system to improve racing but the trigger points needed were put in such a daft place in Jeddah it left drivers ludicrously jockeying to be last into a corner so they reaped the benefit on the ensuing straight.
Most other aspects of the new regulations have got the thumbs up from the drivers.
But there are issues: stiffer crash test requirements mean Alfa Romeo are the only team to have come in underweight – a key metric for higher speed.
Such are the safety changes that modern F1 monsters are around 50 per cent heavier and longer than those used in the 1990s (1996: 595kg, 3.5m long, 1.6m wide. 2020: 798kg, 5.7m long, 2m wide).
The issue has become so critical teams, like Aston Martin, are stripping unnecessary layers of paint to find minuscule gains.
Saudi Grand Prix - in pictures
The heaviest car, surprisingly, is the Mercedes.
So, aside from drastic bottoming issues and an uncompetitive racer, Mercedes are also dealing with a huge car in need of slimming down.
All bad news for Hamilton’s hopes of battling for that record eighth title.
And there will be few places for his underpowered Mercedes to hide on an Albert Park track in which almost every corner has been opened out and speeds topping 330kph predicted.
It may be only 23 metres shorter but stripped of one key chicane on the back straight and most corners widened means the racing is likely to be both fast and furious as lap times come down by a whopping five seconds.
The stars of the new season are clearly Ferrari, emerging Phoenix-like after two of the worst seasons in their history. Winless for over two years Charles Leclerc put that right at the very first race.
And if the champion is not sitting in a red car this year it will only be because of a monumental design effort and remarkable racing elsewhere. But then, wasn’t that just what happened in 2021?
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Poacher
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Spezia v Lazio (6pm), Juventus v Torino (9pm), Inter Milan v Bologna (7.45pm)
Sunday Verona v Cagliari (3.30pm), Parma v Benevento, AS Roma v Sassuolo, Udinese v Atalanta (all 6pm), Crotone v Napoli (9pm), Sampdoria v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Monday Fiorentina v Genoa (11.45pm)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
