F1 Paddock Notebook - Australian GP Thursday

In a new feature for Crash.net, Formula 1 editor Luke Smith brings you his ‘Paddock Notebook’ at the end of the opening day of media commitments at Albert Park ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

The notebook will run at the end of each day of track activity through the F1 season, tidying up all the odds and ends that would not otherwise appear in a story on its own.

F1 Paddock Notebook - Australian GP Thursday

- Minor changes have been made to the Albert Park circuit for 2018, as detailed by race director Charlie Whiting in his pre-event race notes. Most notable is the removal of a risen kerb at the exit of Turn 12 that was “troublesome” for drivers last year. The kerbs at the exits of Turn 13 and Turn 14 have been renewed, while the kerb at the exit of Turn 5 has been extended by five metres.

- Drivers will be permitted to complete practice starts on the grid following FP1 and FP2 on Friday in order to have a chance to see the relocated start lights. The decision to change their position was to make it easier for the front row cars to see them, with their placement being one of the most awkward of the season in previous years.

- This weekend’s Australian Grand Prix will be the first F1 race to have three separate DRS zones in a move to try and aid overtaking. The decision has gained mixed reviews from drivers, with some saying it will allow for more passing while others doubt it will have much impact. Whiting said the FIA would look to add a third DRS zone at tracks where it is more difficult to overtake.

- Fuel consumption has been a big talking point for a number of drivers in Melbourne, with the nature of the Albert Park circuit and the heavier, faster cars expected to result in a significant amount of fuel management through the race. Pierre Gasly said it would be a “big issue”, although Kevin Magnussen believes the new surface in Barcelona would have exaggerated the issue through pre-season testing.

- Following Ferrari’s announcement that previous FIA deputy race director Laurent Mekies in September in a technical role, Whiting confirmed that a long-term replacement will be appointed, but that the FIA can cope for this weekend without one. Previous deputy race director Herbie Blash is unavailable this weekend due to the clash with the World Superbike round in Thailand.

- Sebastian Vettel has reportedly called his new Ferrari SF71H car “Loria”, continuing his tradition of giving his chassis for the season a female name. Vettel was asked if he was surprised by Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen’s decision to join Instagram and if he planned to do the same. “Yes and no - Finnish answers, short!”

- Brendon Hartley will be enjoying his closest race to his native New Zealand in over a decade this weekend, but stressed this could not be called his home race: “Just to be clear, it's definitely not my home race - just to clear that up before I cause a bit of upset at home!” 

- After appearing at testing, a camera crew was once again present on the opening day of paddock activity in Melbourne filming a new documentary series about F1. Details about the new series are yet to be made public, but it is not related to the Amazon ‘Grand Prix Driver’ programme that profiled McLaren’s pre-season struggles in 2017.

- The launch of F1’s new streaming service, F1 TV, has been postponed. The service was meant to launch today (March 22), but will continue to undergo beta testing through the Australian Grand Prix weekend before being rolled out at a later date.

- The main straight at Albert Park was renamed the ‘Walker Straight’ at an event on Wednesday in tribute to Ron Walker, who passed away in January at the age of 78. Walker spent more than 20 years heading up the Australian Grand Prix Corporation before retiring in 2015.