Formula One teams hate uncertainty. Formula One fans love it. At this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, it will be the fans who get what they want.
After four years of an increasingly stultifying dominance by Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel, the only thing most experts agree on when discussing Sunday’s race at the Albert Park street circuit in Melbourne is that it will not be those same blue cars at the front this time.
Aside from the likelihood of a Red Bull struggle, the pecking order for the Australian Grand Prix is anyone’s guess, with nobody quite sure how the teams will adapt to the switch to V6 turbo hybrid engines. The change of powertrain — engine, turbocharger and increasingly important battery-stored hybrid power — has been problematical for all teams in pre-season testing, most notably the Renault-powered teams, and particularly Red Bull.
Throw into the equation the reduction in fuel loads from an average of 160kg of fuel per race to a maximum of 100kg, add a dash of the usual first-race teething problems and driver rustiness, and then factor in forecasts of rain and Melbourne’s typical sudden shifts in temperature, and it becomes apparent why some observers are predicting that Sunday’s race will not even have 10 finishers to fill the points positions.
Some have complained that F1’s rapid-fire regulation changes are becoming increasingly contrived and gimmicky — the double-points for the season’s last race has outraged the purists — but the sport’s officials can hardly be blamed for trying to shake up the sport.
Vettel, Red Bull and the team’s ace designer, Adrian Newey, are all capable of staging a recovery from the likely slow start and earn a fifth-straight title, but if so, it will definitely not be a cakewalk like last year.
Instead, it is Mercedes being freely tipped as the team to beat in the early races of the season after impressing in pre-season testing, and hopes are high that the German mark can finally win their first-ever constructors’ championship.
Ferrari is always a center of attention in any race, but the scrutiny will be further heightened in Melbourne as it is the first race with Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen as teammates.
Many seasoned observers have said the team is simply not big enough for the two of them, and Albert Park will be the first skirmish as each tries to establish himself as the top dog.
McLaren is targeting Melbourne as the start of a renaissance after a highly disappointing year last year that cost team principal Martin Whitmarsh his job.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely