FÓRMULA-1

5 things we learned in Melbourne
As Formula 1 moves from arms and luggage to Bahrain, it is already possible to look a little distant for the Melbourne weekend, and for the beginning of the year, there is plenty to look at ...For example the 'Party Mode' of Mercedes. But what is it anyway? It is known to be a term invented by Lewis Hamilton in an interview, and in layman's terms it is basically a mode of engine that Mercedes pilots can use on very special occasions that is available for a determining (very short) space of time, but which is worth about 0.5s per lap. Ferrari has also, but Mercedes, having a better engine, benefits more from it. Renault does not have it and Honda does, because it needs to walk a lot in savings mode due to reliability.As you know, Hamilton improved 0.9s from Q2 to Q3, but as you've already noticed, the 'party mode' is not worth that value. Therefore, and as we read very well sometime, what happened was truly a 'Senna mode' ...Oura thing we learned in the worst way with the Melbourne race, is that it is almost impossible to overcome in that circuit and for many justifications that the managers of F1 can give, explaining why it happens, the truth is that if they have the problem identified and know how to solve, it makes no sense not to intervene quickly and solve this issue through aerodynamics. I say what I have already written. Is aerodynamics so important that level in F1, having as counterpoint almost can not be overcome?Another thing we learned is that no one will ever forget to 'count' the time that the riders make between two lines of the Safety Car, because that was how Ferrari found a way to supplant Mercedes. Vettel walked more between these lines than Mercedes predicted and lost the race because of it.The second peloton will be much more interesting this year than it was last year, where it had a Force India that did not pass 'cartridge' to anyone finishing well isolated, away from Red Bull and Williams.This year, and although it is still early to draw conclusions, everything indicates that we will have McLaren, Renault, Haas and Force India in the fight for the best of 'others'.We have Pilot! It is never easy to make a good impression when you are in the tail of the F1 squad, but the truth is that Charles Leclerc had a very positive F1 debut weekend, and soon on a very difficult circuit like Melbourne.
The young Monegasque did well in comparison to his more experienced team-mate, Marcus Ericsson, throughout the weekend, managed to manage his Sauber tires quite well, even getting one or two overtaking in the race. A more than solid start, and who boasts a brilliant career, had the first positive signal.

José Luis Abreu, direto de Portugal