FORMULA 1: WHO WILL SLAY THE GERMAN DRAGON? PART 2

If Vettel’s performance at the season-opener is anything to go by, Marvel might commence filming! Hamilton did his usual dominant at practice and romp to pole routine – typical. Rosberg wore his supporting cast by MK outfit. We applauded. Vettel and everyone else fought for the scraps – Vettel settled at P3.

Hamilton, ready to rumble,  prepared for his usual lights-out and dash to corner 1. But, his Sunday afternoon erupted into a sea of missteps, punctuated by several  teaspoons of an insipid medicine which were reluctantly swallowed while he chased a pillaging crimson horse. Australia is still reeling from Vettel’s supersonic flight from P3. His pace was frightening. It was a jaw-catching-while-dropping moment. An illustration of the volatile relationship between fuel and force-fed air. It was an affront to being slow – a celebration of speed but a moment for thoughtful reflection for his competitors!

Vettel’s nuclear reactor delivered the mushroom enhancing spectacle and ironically, promoted him to clean air, ahead of the snarling pack. He devoured the Australia start-snack! A worthy or threatening response was unavailable from Rosberg who bullied Hamilton and emerged as first to challenge Vettel.

Alonso

But, the script went to the editors. Alonso’s mission – a structural integrity test – was executed. He was safe but he successfully disrupted Vettel’s trajectory and Ferrari’s miscalculation (re tyre choice) restored order in the kingdom. The gap that Vettel sought to maintain P1 was always out of his reach – we continue to pray for M. Schumacher!

Vettel’s early triumph was sidelined by despair. Mercedes regrouped and capitalized on Ferrari’s blurred judgement. Victory was reshuffled. Rosberg – P1. Hamilton – a briuising P2. Vettel narrowly escaped embarrassment – introducing off-road activities in F1! Vettel – P3.

The race had Spielberg’s ingredients everywhere! It was the breath of fresh air a season-opener craves. Mercedes AMG must be wary of Ferrari’s pace. Can Vettel slay the German dragon?

The Bahrain GP is this weekend!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer