There is a nice English rhyme that summarizes the annual show business in formula 1. And it goes like this: “When the flag drops, the bullshit stops.” If the flag falls, stop the crap. That crap that is a big culture of secrecy that dominates, in particular, the world champion team Mercedes. There they told until Recently, the story of the hedgehog who had to compete against the hare to a race. The hare was well ahead of Ferrari and a piece of the far. The hedgehog just Mercedes and still a bit busy, the front and rear legs at the start line. That was the impression which had been brought during the recent tests in Barcelona.

However, on the way to Melbourne, where on Sunday the first race of the new championship takes place in season (6.10 PM, live at RTL and Sky), it seems that the hedgehogs seem to have a shortcut found. Anyway, this is the first training trips under the same conditions – and the final Qualifying session anyway. Lewis Hamilton the Pole Position clinched before his team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Only then is Sebastian Vettel with the rich seven-tenths gap to the top; Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari was Fifth. The Bunny is a mystery. “The car is not what I want,” complained Sebastian Vettel in Melbourne. “Shaky” is the Ferrari which he christened Lina and the in Barcelona still really feel good. About Mercedes, he also lost a few words: “you are much faster than they wanted to leave us last to believe.”

for the benefit of, you have to hold the fairy tale versions of the Mercedes managers that they stressed always how smart this hedgehog was. At least as much as a Fox to stay in the Animal. Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff said in an Interview with the “süddeutsche Zeitung”: “it May be that we have held back a bit.”

Understatement is the British Brackley-based formula 1 Team of Mercedes in any case, a good Tradition. Lewis Hamilton, who finished the second free practice session, just ahead of his team-mate Valtteri Bottas and clearly ahead of Vettel, who was only the Fifth remained in line despite the strong start to the faithful. There is still “to improve some things,” he said, “but that was not a bad Start, we are very well through our program”. The Briton seems to be once again fully on the level, when it comes to the next world title. Five he has been, record-breaking world champion Michael Schumacher (seven) was more successful.

Wolff is confident his drivers more historical achievements. “He feels things in the car, which is the ability to feel no one in this intensity in the car. The other is his incredible ability to constantly develop,“ he said. That put Mercedes on Hamilton, and to him all liberties, has proven to be successful. Wolff: “Lewis is like a sponge. He takes everything that sucks, and is getting better and better.“ Properties that you can try at Mercedes, to be transferred to the whole Team. The first results from Melbourne, and you can imagine that this is once again a success.

rules are changing and the balance of power?

The new season with some rule changes. The car to the simplified aerodynamic approach to adjust the front wing must be a maximum, there are still five main elements and must be two metres, instead of 1.80 metres wide, was the biggest challenge for the engineers. The dimensions of the side parts and the rear wing changed. Rule changes often mean a new Chance for the Challenger, they often endanger the existing balance of power in formula 1. This how is this true for the upcoming season, which must first be proven.

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formula 1 Monumental Parallel: Sebastian Vettel wants the title with Ferrari

David Joram

it is Clear that, in addition to Ferrari at the most, Red Bull has the ability to use it with Mercedes. The Austrians want to tap your rider Max verse 21, with a new engine from Honda is far ahead. Motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has already announced the end of last season cocky: “We want to crown the youngest world champion in history. I said to the Team.“ Verstappen ended up Qualifying in fourth place. And it is once more: “When the flag drops, the bullshit stops.”