Fast Five: A horrible day for Perez, suspicion after Mercedes' qualifying success, and other big updates

Suspicion after Mercedes' qualifying success

Mercedes showed a strong performance at the season's third race, raising suspicions about their true pace. Despite their claims of having an "awful" car, George Russell revealed the car's setup has evolved since Bahrain. Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz believe the W14 is faster than it seems, with Sainz noting its race pace was close to Alonso's in Jeddah. Although not faster than Red Bull, the car's true potential may have been underestimated.

Click here to read the full article by Charley Williams (WTF1.com).

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An incredible day for Alonso

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Fernando Alonso qualified fourth for the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, calling it his best Saturday for Aston Martin. Despite not making the front row, he was pleased with the team's progress and expressed confidence in their long-run pace for a strong result. Alonso was unsurprised that Mercedes out-qualified Aston Martin. Teammate Lance Stroll, who qualified sixth, was also positive about their long-run pace and looked forward to the race. Aston Martin and Mercedes are level on 38 points ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

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A horrible day for Perez

Sergio Perez had a "horrible day" during the Australian Grand Prix qualifying, according to Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner. Perez locked up and ended up in the gravel in Q1, forcing him to retire and start from the back of the grid. Issues from FP3 carried over to qualifying, and the team is investigating if there's an underlying issue with his car. In contrast, Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's third pole of the season.

Click here to read the full article by Fergal Walsh (Motorsportweek.com).

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Ferrari's evolving strategy

Carlos Sainz revealed that Ferrari has adopted a "different approach" for the Australian GP, focusing on improving race form after a disappointing performance in Jeddah. The team has made adjustments to the car's set-up, aiming to enhance race pace. Despite being better in race trim, Sainz felt comfortable with the new set-up during qualifying. Ferrari's decision not to bring aero updates allowed for a more stable platform and easier comparisons with the Jeddah race. Sainz qualified fifth, and Leclerc seventh, placing Ferrari fourth in the pecking order.

Click here to read the full article by Adam Cooper (Motorsport.com).

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Analyzing sector dominance

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At the Australian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen excelled in the first two straights and the chicane between them, thanks to Red Bull's overnight downforce adjustments. George Russell demonstrated his skills by mastering 43% of the lap, highlighting his potential and Mercedes' capabilities. Fernando Alonso shone in the third sector, showcasing his experience and adaptability, solidifying his status as one of the greatest drivers in the sport.