Australian Grand Prix 2011, First Practice Session: Formula One highlights - Part 1
2010 was arguably one of the most exciting and competitive chapters in the motorsport’s six decade history. After nearly a 4 month break, Formula One kicks off its latest instalment of the 300 km/h trip around Albert Park, Australia.
Pre-season testing indicated more or less status quo in the front with Red Bull as clear favourites followed by Ferrari. McLaren Mercedes, on the other hand, have their task cut out heading into this calendar year as their 2011 car lagged in the mileage
at the bottom of the table. There were positive signs for Mercedes and Renault.
As the 2011 tale unwinds, we start the season in Australia after the Bahrain GP was cancelled amid political unrest in the Gulf country. Elsewhere, Robert Kubica has been replaced this year by Nick Heidfeld after the Polish driver suffered serious injuries
after a horrific crash in a rally. Four rookies are set to make their debut this term in a grid which consists of five World Champions - an occurrence that has not been recorded since 1970.
Bettor.com welcomes you to the highlights of the opening round of the 2011 Formula 1 World Championship at the Australian Grand Prix!
The first practice session signaled the end of the hard work that went into pre-season testing. However, one would still be a touch naive to assume that further improvement won’t go into the cars as the season progresses.
Karun Chandhok appeared to be the first to step out in the Team Lotus. The Indian driver replaced Jarno Trulli for the session. However, despite being quickest out of the blocks from the pit-lane to the race track, Lotus suffered a huge setback as Chandhok
had a shunt at turn 3 and damaged his car. The youngster had to limp back to the pits for the broken nose on the T128.
Looking down the grid, other changes for the hour and a half session included Hulkenberg who was replacing Paul di Resta for Force India and Australian rookie Daniel Ricciardo stepping in for Jaime Alguersuari for Toro Rosso.
McLaren were understood to have shelved their radical exhaust system which they used in the testing session as it caused reliability issues for the MP4-26. The car now had a new exhaust system and floor which the team were hoping to test in Melbourne ahead
of Sunday's race.
Continued in part 2...
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