Former F1 driver Martin Brundle wrote in his column after the 2024 Australian Grand Prix that it felt like a relief for him to see win some other team than Red Bull.
The Free Practice sessions ahead of the third round of the season at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne suggested the most challenging race of the season so far might be ahead of the Red Bull Racing team.
Ferraris looked faster in qualifying lap simulations and long runs. However, Red Bull's results were even worse than anyone might have expected.
Max Verstappen, who started the race from the pole, had to retire his car in less than 5 laps due to an issue with his brakes that caught on fire, and Sergio Perez was only able to cross the finish line in P5 after starting from P6.
Apparently, a tear-off from Fernando Alonso's visor got stuck in one of the ducts located on the floor of the Mexican's car, resulting in an overall decrease in performance.
In the end, Ferrari drivers crossed the finish line first to complete the first one-two finish for the team from Maranello since the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix (in which Verstappen also retired).
Many fans anticipated a very dull season after watching the dominance of Red Bull in the first two races. Martin Brundle might have felt similarly as he admitted a relief when watching a non-Red Bull team win the Australian Grand Prix. He wrote in his column for Sky Sports:
"I feel guilty for thinking it, but it was a relief to see a different winning team and driver in Melbourne."
"Nothing against Red Bull or its drivers, they've been immense, but the chorus of 'F1 needed that' echoed through the paddock post-race."
While Ferraris were expected to be close to the Red Bulls even without the unlucky circumstances, it isn't clear how the race would have ended.
Though, Perez told the media after the race that Sainz would "absolutely" win even if his teammate finished the Grand Prix.
One question remains: Will the battle for the Championship this year be more even from this point on? Red Bull's Helmut Marko doesn't think so, as he expects the triple World Champion to dominate again during the next race, the Japan Grand Prix.
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