Formula 1 | Team bosses are unanimous on F1’s return to Melbourne

Formula 1 is therefore back in Melbourne this weekend and while Australian fans had seen the 2020 edition canceled at the last minute, they did indeed respond this weekend and the event is undoubtedly a success.

Like the public but also the drivers, the team managers also expressed their enthusiasm to be present again at Albert Park this year.

Toto Wolff, the director of Mercedes F1, for example, said that « It’s good to be back in Australia. Last time we left without even racing, but the fans are great and the sport is very important here. That’s what makes me always enjoy coming here at the other end of the world. »

Frédéric Vasseur (Alfa Romeo) joins his Austrian counterpart: « As Toto said, it’s good to be back. The fans are amazing, the queue was endless to enter the circuit and we know that two years ago it was the beginning of chaos I love racing in Australia and the show on offer is always very good for F1 and everyone. »

Otmar Szafnauer, the manager of Alpine F1, praised the new features brought to the track: « I agree with what has been said, I hope the fans are treated to a great show. They deserve it and the changes to the track make it more exciting, the new tarmac also makes a difference. So I hope that we will have a good race tomorrow. »

On the side of AlphaTauri, Franz Tost wanted to pay tribute to the organizers: « It’s really great to be back here. In my opinion, it’s one of the most interesting races and an important event. The organizers have done an outstanding job and the fact that the track has been modernized and resurfaced is very positive. And when you look at the program for the weekend, there is always a race going on with few breaks between the different categories. »

Christian Horner (Red Bull) was just as ecstatic as his counterparts: « Someone told me it’s been 1100 days since a car was driven here. Of course it was brief when we came in 2020. I think we have record attendance this weekend. The reception and the atmosphere that the fans have for us is remarkable. It’s a great event with a lot of action. »

For McLaren F1, the weekend is necessarily special since it has in its ranks an Australian in the person of Daniel Ricciardo. Andreas Seidl explains that the English team is even more motivated than usual this weekend: « Every member of the team looks forward to this Grand Prix every year. The promoters and the city managed to provide an exceptional atmosphere. From Thursday, and when we were not even on the track yet, it was fantastic And it’s the first time at McLaren that we’ve come here with Daniel for whom this race is very special. It’s a bit different from Zandvoort because there’s a lot of papaya orange here, which gives extra motivation to the whole team. »