From fireworks to farce, what began at the Australian Grand Prix with illuminating excitement ended with the dampest of squibs. Inevitably, and with what is likely to become a relentless refrain this season, Max Verstappen won for Red Bull in Melbourne but only after a measure of the chaos and confusion that F1 seems exquisitely adept at serving up. Its labyrinthine rulebook once more weighed heavy on the action, informed by the looming spectre of the Abu Dhabi 2021 controversy and an intimation that the demand for entertainment is in the driving seat of decision making.
The meeting at Albert Park took a full two and half hours to conclude. Late risers in the UK hoping to catch the final laps over breakfast were doubtless pleased to find that there was still plenty of time left to watch after it was stopped no fewer than three times.
