Who would have thought that three races into the season there would be just four points between the top two teams, and 11 points between the top four drivers? The last race in Australia provided lots of drama, and plenty to talk about heading to Suzuka...
Ferrari’s threat to Red Bull
I’m not saying I’m a genius or anything, but in ‘It's Race
Week’ ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, we had a section on ‘Ferrari closing
in on Red Bull’ and how the Scuderia were now in a position to put pressure on
at certain tracks after making a step forward compared to this time last
season.
READ MORE: A power move, an Indiba machine and Band of
Brothers – Sainz's extraordinary 16 days that culminated in his Melbourne
victory
What followed was a Ferrari one-two that I don’t think
anyone was expecting, but it did show how they are now close enough to take
full advantage of any opportunities when the circuit and conditions suit, and
the race pace looked so strong that there’s every chance Ferrari would have won
even without Max Verstappen’s retirement.
Red Bull have to remain clear favourites given their
advantage on other tracks and general form, but as pointed out above, we head
to Suzuka with any one of the Ferrari or Red Bull drivers holding a real chance
of taking the championship lead, and Ferrari so close to doing so in the
constructors’ standings, too.
