After the frenetic DRS duels that defined the 2022 Formula 1 season-opening Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix, the return to Australia after three years without a race was a comparatively humdrum affair. Polesitter Charles Leclerc took control to land the victory.
The Ferrari charger launched cleanly to pull across the Albert Park circuit and cover off any potential lunges from his Red Bull chasers. Then the Monegasque retained a command over proceedings, marching away from eventual runner-up Sergio Perez and nabbing a bonus point for fastest lap. It was proof that the Italian team, while not infallible as it again battled porpoising, has bolted out the gates strongly at the start of the largest technical revamp in F1 history.
